FUCK YOU ASK.FM

This isn't a review. This isn't some chatty post about my favourite song.It's about something that is bothering me. It's going to be, as usual, opinionated, detailed and you're probably going to disagree with some of the things said.

That's okay. 

Let's begin.

Ask.fm is no secret to our youth nowadays. Like Facebook, Twitter, Formspring, it blew up like any other old social networking website. But it was more interesting. With the feature with the promise of complete anonymity and confidential messages, you can say anything you want on someone else's page with the reassurance of not being discovered.

You'd think it would encourage cringey relationship proposals, confessions of love, but that's too innocent for our youth. Being seventeen myself and in the correct boundary of this 'youth' I speak of, I can relate to the excitement it would bring.

Unlike Facebook, unlike Formspring, your identity is a complete secret and unfortunately, not even traceable by the authorities.

Cyberbulling has been around for a while now. Ever since the social networking sites began, it's been a primary arena for hate, trolls and bullying.

It's been the source of every rumour, the messenger that spreads the word and regretfully, the cause of many teenagers problems today. 

Sadly, this particular website is famous for not a good reason. It's famous for being the cause of approximately 6 teenaged suicides from as young as 14 years old. That's not a reason for the creators of this website to be happy, to be proud, to be satisfied with the global phenomena it has.
And yet, kids as young as 11 continue to make accounts on this website.

Ask.fm is filled with questions to do with virginity, crushes, snog marry avoids but the prominent post on nearly ever single account I've looked at is hurtful comments encouraging suicide, self harm and self abuse.
It's disgusting how innovative people are nowadays with insults - with curse words too revolting to repeat, statements too degrading to write on here and just generally horrific things that people are victim to.
When someone insults you in the street, a random stranger, you'd stick up for yourself, right? Confront them? Demand to know what their problem was? I mean, how can someone insult and judge you when they don't even know you?
When a friend admits to you they think you're a 'slag' or an 'idiot,' you're more hurt, aren't you? Because this person knows you and therefore must have justification for insulting you.
So how come, when an anonymous troll tells you to commit suicide, it's taken seriously?

It's beyond me why this website still exists. Why teenagers, young adults, CHILDREN subject themselves to this bullying. It's simple. Get rid of the website.
Bullying would continue, sure. I'm not doubting that. CyberBullying has only recently been taken seriously into account of authorities. Comments and status' on Facebook will continue to be filled with low lives who have nothing better to do and find pleasure in hurting others through a fucking computer screen.
Celebrity Twitter spats will press on with rival fanbases at eachothers throats (thank you Louis Tomlinson and Tom Parker for that amusing and yet pointless argument the other day where Directioners are actually threatening the lives of Wanted fans - good message you guys portray)

Truth is, the balance has tipped. The endless amount of support bullying victims get from celebrities, songs, movies, charities is pointless against the increasing amounts of children taking their own lives.
Escape the Fate is right, 'violence is a vicious cycle' and unfortunately, it's forced upon others just like it's forced upon the bullies.
But back to my main point. FUCK YOU ASK.FM you're a goddamn waste of an URL and internet space.

Bad Boys You Love To Hate

I don't know about you but I always tend to be drawn to the baddies in television shows and movies. If they've got a traumatic background, motive and a hilarious streak, they're most likely to be my favourite character. In television shows and movies, here are a few of the bad boys that I'm sure everyone cannot stand but cannot help to love.

Klaus - Vampire Diaries
To be fair when he made his appearance in Alaric's body, I found him annoying. Until he was given a face, an English accent and gorgeous eyes and then he became the bad guy who does something wrong and I'm sat on the sofa going, 'awww he so sweet.'
He's a fan favourite and almost everyone I talk to loves Klaus. He's not as good looking as Damon or pretty boy like Tyler but he's got a whole lotta charisma and such a lovable personality. He's a lonely boy at heart desperate to keep his family with him 24/7 under any circumstances necessary.

Lestat - Interview With A Vampire
One of Tom Cruise's best performances EVER in the history of his film career. He plays the morbidly hilarious and mysterious Lestat whom next to sensitive Louis really makes you dribble at the mouth. He becomes psychotic and murderous towards our favourite vampire but his storyline is flawless and his personality is so attractive.

Bane - Dark Knight Rises
It wasn't just Tom Hardy that made me love this villain, it was the single tear on his face during Tate's revelation that made my heart break. His hot body, smoldering eyes and those one-liners to die for just make this movie that much bearable to watch (not that it isn't a good movie in itself)

Joker - Dark Knight
Joining Bane with our Batman villain fetish, again the incredible Heath Ledger who plays this lovable character just enhances this characters performance as one of the craziest, psychotic and murderous villains in a superhero movie. Again, his story about his scars make him realistic and give him a little motive behind his insane nature.

David - Lost Boys
Keeping up with the seemingly obvious pattern of vampires, here's my favourite vampire from my favourite vampire movie of all time.
David is lovable on the pure reason of his sexiness. He's a proper vampire, he isn't doing anything wrong, he's feeding from humans because that's in his nature, he was kind to Michael and took him in before he was betrayed. He plays the perfect part of a scorned leader wreaking vengeance on his treacherous legion.

Hey, guess what?! I write!

I rarely ever in fact I haven't posted anything on here that wasn't a review, walkthrough or opinion of some sort. But...

I wanted to let you know that I'm writing an original fiction on the story sharing website Mibba.com.

If you're interested my username is ElloHarley and the story is called Game.

Here is a link: http://www.mibba.com/Stories/Read/515436/Game/

You don't have to but it would be awesome to get some of you involved in this.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2013)

Post will contain, as always, spoilers along with tips, opinions and walkthrough methods.

As an avid player of the Tomb Raider series all the way back to 1996. 'Course, I was only one then so I didn't play it, instead I watched my dad play it until I was old enough to hold the controller. Being young, stupid but incredibly adorable, I triggered the first tiger sequence, paused it and then turned the game off. I then only vowed to watch others or I would run around her training arena in her home just pretending I was playing the actual storyline. When I was old enough to understand the game, I went on to play and complete the first three games along with Angel of Darkness, Legend, Anniversary and then subsequently this new one.

Tomb Raider 9 is a reboot to the franchise. It's a retelling of her story and a somewhat prequel to the first game. It focuses on how she became a survivor from a adventurer.
This game is, no doubt my favourite out of all of them possibly because of the new graphics, the platform and the storyline itself isn't too complicated.
With the tight places and over the shoulder camera angles, you get an indepth insight to the claustrophobia Lara is experiencing. You can really relate to how new she is to the whole survival instinct. Her story is realistic and her determination to find and save her friends is the snippet into the personality of the Lara Croft we were accustomed to in the old games.

Good points: the graphics most definitely. Shadows, details, blood, dirt, it's all there and there's no fault really  concerning the graphic part of the game. Developers really went all out to ensure fans of the game wouldn't discard it. Lara's development really intrigued me. At the start of the game you are newly equipped with a bow and arrow and when you get the pistol, it's obvious Lara's never fired at anything before considering the aiming starts off really badly. The cut scene in which she kills someone is actually really emotional and it hurts to watch this video game character that you're so used to seeing being badass actually has a vulnerable side.
The storyline was good. Even though it seems really straight forward, the notes you find along the way written by either Lara's friend Sam, cult leader Mathias or just random people who were on the island, give insight to different opinions and thoughts and gives each character you encounter their own storyline and reason for being there.
The relationships Lara has with each character is different. Throughout the game your primary mission is to rescue Sam along with finding the other survivor friends along the way. The losses encountered in the game aren't, like most, disregarded as if they don't matter. Lara is emotionally affected by each death of a character.

Bad points: not many to be honest. The aiming was really bad for me. It began terrible but Lara isn't used to a weapon so I figured the bad aiming and over the shoulder camera was deliberate but as the game progresses, it gets increasingly difficult to pull off a shot.

I feel the battle and action scenes in the game are similar to Uncharted - enemies free roam, they attack you from either angle using a range of firearms or melee weapons depending on your distance. You have to rely on cover to save health and a lot of it is trial and error. Unlike Legend and Anniversary where enemies were only a mere entertainment purpose rather than an actual obstacle.

My favourite character is as expected, Lara only because she's the only character you get a bond with. She's the lead character, you're not really introduced to anyone else apart from her survivor friends.
The only struggle I had was nearing the end when you're getting stopped by enemies from entering the temple. They send an Oni type guard at you that you have to get close to, dodge and then shoot with a shotgun.
If you are able to get the hang of the aiming it's pretty easy to deter him by shooting at his head but if like me, you had trouble with it use the dodge and attack method and he'll go down pretty quickly.

Holding up to it's original name however, there are side mission where Lara is able to explore tombs and solve puzzles to earn extra XP.

Overall, it's an incredible game. Remakes are seriously making a comeback for the better and getting positive reviews too. Most definitely my favourite game and I hope SquareEnix continue and make another.
Lots of action, storyline and girl power throughout.

Classic Teen Movies

Being a movie buff in 2013 means you've watched Christopher Nolans Batman trilogy a hundred times and can name every Kristen Stewart movie.
Well, I am a movie buff on the sheer reason why I prefer old classics over any modern movie ANY DAY.
I was brought up on John Hughes and Joel Schumacher. Being born in 1995 didn't give me much opportunity to watch these when they were popular but I was lucky enough to have a movie buff relative who loved the 'brat pack' movies just as much as I do today.
Here are a few of my favourites and why they annihilate the modern teen movies made today.

Weird Science - 1985 - John Hughes
One of my favourites and possibly the best sleepover movie when you're a dweeby geek and dramatically declining in the social circle. Anthony Michael Hall made his debut as the stereotypical nerd that he portrayed in other favourites Sixteen Candles & Breakfast Club and let's not forget how Kelly LeBrock is just a BABE in this film. It makes me laugh every time and remains at the top of the teen movies. There's 17 Again and god forbid, Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging that girls will argue are the best movies for a girly night in but when I'm in the house, there's some 80's teen comedies, Reeses chocolates and a whole lot of panty hats.

Pretty In Pink - 1986 - Howard Deutch
Although directed by someone different, it was written by John Hughes most people mistake it for one of Hughes movies although it isn't. It's a cult favourite and is practically the epitome of teen movies. Molly Ringwald made her debut in the 80's with other notable favourites such as Sixteen Candles and Breakfast Club alongside Anthony Michael Hall and is now referred to a lot in most modern movies. In 2001 Not Another Teen Movie was a spoof movie dedicated to parodying every teen movie in the 80's making a special appearance at the end was Ringwald herself. Pretty in Pink remains my favourite of her movies and again, is an awesome movie to sit around with your friends and swoon over Blaine and cry over poor little Ducky.

St Elmo's Fire - 1985 - Joel Schumacher
This film was released around the same time as every other teen movie and yet it remains one of the best. A film about life and love and the hardships of adjusting to adulthood, it's a movie I can never tire of. Not to mention that Andrew McCarthy and Rob Lowe just make me swoon in this movie. Like every other teen movie in the 80's there's humour and drama mixed into one masterpiece. Teen movies nowadays really don't run your emotions like the old classics to. Someone once said to me, 'High School Musical 3 is like St Elmo's Fire, they're all adjusting to life.' Ladies and Gentleman, I could've shot them down like a poacher in a  rabbit hutch. Anyone who claims to be an old classic movie buff may have watched Breakfast Club or Sixteen Candles but they're not a true 80's movie kid if they haven't sat through this.

Breakfast Club - 1985 - John Hughes
Here it is, ladies and gents. The film that made the 80's pop culture that was the 'brat pack' and teen comedy. A film made in the same year as St Elmo's Fire and similar in content but completely different characters that you can not only feel for but relate to as well. Each character symbolizes the stereotypical cliques in high school's back then and even today. There are movies like Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging that make fun of the stereotypical geeks in social turmoil due to the popular crew but there's no other film that depicts the realism and how if affects others. And let's face it, no other actor can pull off being a realistic geek than Anthony Michael Hall. The film is a work of art and a genuis' masterpiece. A perfect movie to sit down and laugh with. I wanna say I'm in the Anthony Michael Hall clique but Ally Sheedy and her basket case self probably suits me right now.

Sixteen Candles - 1984 - John Hughes
Another Ringwald classic that once again features our very own favourite geek. This film just screams teen sleepover movie. I'm sure every sixteen year old girl can relate to Molly's distress when she crushes on the most popular boy who is in a relationship with the popular girl and her parents don't acknowledge her and her bratty siblings just don't know the meaning of the word 'sensible.'
I became so obsessed with this film, I didn't take it out of my DVD player for a month. It was on replay all the time. Not only does it provide you with killer humour and knockout one liners but it's a brilliant ending that yes, is predictable but it's alright because it's just so great and romantic.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off - 1986 - John Hughes
Another Hughes masterpiece. There's not one person I know that hasn't heard of this movie. This movie struck the whole truant is cool phenomena. Everytime I skip school, my thoughts are always with our favourite little truant and his innovative ways to avoid everyone and yet have the best day ever.
Like Weird Science, Matthew Broderick constantly breaks the fourth wall to talk with the audience and it's humour and close calls is what drives the story ahead. It's a classic that doesn't feature many actors from his previous films although it's similar to Home Alone that Hughes goes on to direct later.

Lost Boys - 1987 - Joel Schumacher
Another one for the resentful 'brat pack' nature although not really a teen comedy. It's a vampire classic that truly 100% represents the vampires that are as real as they're gonna get. Forget sparkles and convertibles with fancy ski resort houses and Claire De Lune. Lost Boys brought teen movies to a comedy/horror level when Schumacher directed this all time cult classic. It's all about rock n roll, motorbikes, mohawks and leather jackets. This is what vampires were about in the 80's.

Guilty Pleasure: One Direction

Alright, everyone know's 'em, they're like marmite. You love 'em or hate 'em and then there's those who secretly love them and just cannot bring themselves to admit it.
Well, it's like it's programmed into the mainstream to hate these guys but my question is WHY? They're five young guys who are easy on the eyes and bring out great music. They're just a boyband. I don't see Girls Aloud getting compared to Hannah Montana like these guys are getting compared to Justin Bieber.
Okay, fair enough, their first album was like Disney crapped all over it but their new music is really developing.
Take Me Home has got some awesome tunes on it. I'm seventeen years old and still find these guys sorta, pretty, kinda amazing.

3) I Would
So, my third favourite song on the album is I Would because it's fun, lively and it's kinda jolly not considering the lyrics. It's real easy to catch on the tune and it's great to sing along to. One thing I really enjoy about this album in particular is the fact all the guys get at least one solo part in every song except for Back For You which I think is only Louis and Liam for their girlfriends, if I'm correct. Anyway, the chorus will stick in your head for ages and you'll be humming it on the bus stop tomorrow.

2) Over Again
This is a slow and rather sad song. Apparently, the boys cry when they perform it live which doesn't surprise me to be honest. It's a meaningful song that isn't the conventional love song. It seems to be about a guy pining over a heartbroken and damaged girl. My favourite part in this song is Harry's verse and Louis' straight after. The 'showers that are British' part just makes me wanna break down in tears and makes me proud of my cuppa tea accent. It's a song that will make you fall asleep, make you cry or make you smile if you can relate to the lyrics because they work out in the end. I hope. Maybe I should listen to it again...

1) Rock Me
So, I've actually heard this song is really, really popular.
It's undoubtedly the best song on the album and it's probably the first song I've managed to listen to a hundred times without getting bored this year. I'm scared to listen to it again just in case.
It's brand new from their original material. All of their voices sound amazing and really rock n roll and their live performances of this song makes Harry be shown in such a new light. His stage presence is really overpowering and you can tell he is really into this kinda of genre music. This song makes you rethink every stereotype you've ever placed upon this group. They're capable of other genre's and pull them off successfully.

So, if you haven't guessed already, I've got a huge soft spot for Harry Styles, who doesn't? I just think he's really misunderstood. He seems to listen to his crotch rather than his brain and he's 19 years old, famous and good lookin'. Who are we to say who he can and can't sleep with? As long as he doesn't release a stupid song out of it. *cough* Miss Swift *cough*
Louis comes a close second just because he's so effing funny.
Anyway, I know some of you have at least ONE song on your phones or iPods and I know you've hummed What Makes You Beautiful at least once.

Blue Valentine & Crazy, Stupid, Love

I went on a little Ryan Gosling adventure over the weekend and watched two of his movies. One, underrated and boycotted due to critical acclaim and another, a popular one but nobody really paid any attention to how gorgeous he is in it. Anyway, I thought I'd share my thoughts on the two movies and also how I support 100% this man to play Christian Grey in the upcoming but not yet confirmed Fifty Shades trilogy.

Blue Valentine is one of those indie films that everyone has overlooked and underrated except for those who have a particular interest in one or two of the actors and can truly appreciate the true perfection of this movie.
Don't believe anyone who says it's a love story. For it's half right and you'll dive into this movie with the intent of a happy ending and that is far from what happens.
The movie cuts back and forth from the meeting of two young adults and their budding relationship to the present where the pair are married, unhappy and at breaking point. I can understand why some might say it's a love story, in essence it is but it's the realism that comes with their relationship that gets you to think back and consider whether or not falling in love is really worth it. I was thinking to myself near the end 'I don't want this to happen to me' and 'I am never falling in love.'
But, moving past the tearful storyline, the acting from Michelle Williams and the perfect Mr Gosling is faultless and according to Wikipedia, they were instructed to not only live together during filming but to act like a married couple to 'get a feel' for one another. How authentic is that?

Crazy, Stupid, Love was the movie I watched afterwards and I had to say it was the best choice of a movie after I was recovering from that ending from Blue Valentine. Surrounded by teary tissues and a pessimistic attitude to the whole concept of love, I wasn't ready for this movie. The title alone of this movie made me want to shut off the whole world and just cry over my future that will undoubtedly involve hundreds of cats. Anyway, this movie is a romantic comedy. It's a film that encourages people to not think negatively about love and rejoice it. It basically contradicts everything Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams were depicting in Blue Valentine.
Steve Carrell does an impressive job in portraying a man who is torn up over his cheating wife and approaching divorce along with struggling to regain his 'manhood' that Gosling's characters, a womanizing rich boy claims he's lost.
All in all, it's a star studded cast of Julianne Moore, Emma Stone and Jonah Bobo. Excellent job, everyone.