Film Nails

If you haven't checked out Ticket Stub's Ideas for Film Fancy Dress post, click the link to be inspired for Halloween. For those of us who haven't got big parties to go to, but still want to get in the spirit of the spooky holiday, I've had a go at creating film inspired nail art.

Why not have a go yourself or tweet/comment with your best film nails.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) - HALLOWEEN PICK

This is very simple and bold. Starting with a base coat, add two coatings of a bright yellow. Once dry, use a black nail art pen and create a vertical line to the left of each nail. I made mine quite thick. To finish, get a red nail varnish and splatter random splots of blood to the right hand corner. Make sure not to have too much paint on the brush for this.

Spider-Man (2002)

Start with the base coat. Paint two nails a dark blue to match Spider-Man's trouser legs, add a top coat. Paint the other three nails bright red. Using a black nail art pen, create webs. On the thumbnail, use a white nail art pen to recreate the eyes. I coloured in two of the gaps in the web and made them the same triangular shape as Spider-Man's. Use the black pen to outline.

Life of Pi (2012)

This design is based on the book cover - which is also used as a shot in the film.
Apply a base coat on all nails. Paint a bright orange for the thumb and pinkie, then colour the other nails with a sea blue. Once dry, using the white nail art pen, create a boat shape on the middle nail. With the black nail art pen, create a curved 'C' shape at one end of the boat for Pi (see top right). Using a small brush, take the orange and blob the other end of the boat for the tiger, Richard Parker. I then added some black dots/small lines to stripe. Finally, for the tiger print on the other nails, take the black and white pens and alternate stripes on the edges.




The Joker from The Dark Knight (2008) - HALLOWEEN PICK

For Heath Ledger's brilliant Joker, start with the important base coat. For the thumb, a white polish. Alternate the other four nails with purple and a dark green to match his suit. Once dry, create the high angled eyes using the black nail art pen. I then used a small brush and dipped it in the red polish to make the smile. It doesn't have to be neat at all - the messier, the creepier!

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

If you have a silver polish or a golden lion colour along with a green scarecrow polish, you could create all the characters. I instead went for something a bit quirky and easier! Base coat your nails then apply a bright yellow to the middle three nails and a deep red for the outside two. Once dry, add a red glitter top coat to the thumb and pinkie (I used Barry M's appropriately named 'Ruby Slippers'). For the yellow nails, create a brick pattern using the black nail art pen. And there you have the yellow brick road and ruby slippers from Oz!




A Clockwork Orange (1971) - HALLOWEEN PICK

This was super simple to create. Starting with the base coat, paint orange on all nails except the ring finger - paint this white. Once dry, use the black nail art pen to draw the bowler hat on the thumb and the wide eye with the lashes on the ring finger.

Why not have a go at creating your own film nails?

Who will you be going as for Halloween?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog

Ideas for Film Fancy Dress

Calling all freshers and uni students! You're starting or returning to university, stuck for ideas for those fancy dress parties and bar crawls. And what about Halloween? That's coming up soon too!
Ticket Stub has come up with some creative, cheap and quirky choices to make you look like the best movie character of all time.

Have you made any awesome film costumes? I'd love to see your creations.
Tweet @TicketStubBlog with your pictures or comment below.

On a budget? 

This is a very simple idea and you can get all the bits from Primark. The Blues Brothers (1980) are instantly recognisable and suits everyone (short, tall, fat, slim, male, female) - you can't really go wrong! 

Image: picniccinema.co.uk

Team up with a friend and get yourselves: an old white shirt, black tie, black blazer and black trousers.
The main things you'll need to complete the look will be:

The sunglasses:

And the hats:

Draw on some sideburns, (or grow them if you have time!). And that is it.
 Stand next to each other, look like you're on a mission...a mission from God and you'll be rocking to Shake a Tail Feather in no time.

Feeling adventurous?

If you have some spare cardboard boxes, the world is your oyster! You can create so many unique ideas for fancy dress - especially if want to be an object, famous vehicle or a big scale building. You could go for Titanic? Or Optimus Prime? Or maybe King Kong on top of the Empire State? Haven't quite worked out how to do that yet, but how about this one?

Andrew in the finished costume: Carl and Ellie's house from Up (2009)

A few years back, my brother attended a party as Carl and Ellie's house from Up (2009). With help from my sister, they used cardboard boxes to make the structure, held the house by a pair of braces and attached a bunch of mini balloons to the back.

The costume in progress. Made with cardboard boxes, sticky tape and lots of paper.

The result was awesome and certainly made for a truly unique costume!
To find out how to make this, head over to Louise's blog.

Time on your hands? 

If you love make up as much as I do, you'll jump at the chance to try creative, bold looks. The make up and costume from Black Swan (2010) is a great idea for Halloween, especially if you have coloured contact lenses to partner the creepy yet captivating eye make up.

Image: etsy.com

I had a go trying out one of my eyes using the tutorial below:

And this was the result:

instagram.com/helenashappenings

 It is surprisingly easy to do. Make sure you have the time to take care with the design. It definitely looks effective and I had great fun recreating it.
Complete the costume with the black tutu, corseted top or black vest along with a tiara or silver headband. If you have a black dress which fans out (as the lady in the tutorial does) then this will go perfectly together. 

Don’t have much fancy dress?

If you haven't got much and can't really be bothered to make a huge effort, how about taking inspiration from The Big Lebowski (1998)? Jeff Bridges as The Dude in his dressing gown, sunglasses, white tee and sandals - all the standard things you can easily find in a student wardrobe.

Image: warosu.org

If not Jeff Bridges, you could also go for Arthur from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005). Again, a dressing gown and pjs - just hop out of bed and you're ready!

Image: hitchhikers.wikia.com

Quirky Couples

For those who want to go for couple fancy dress, why not try something different?
I've selected the best quirky film couples. Can you think of anymore?

Dr. Emmett Brown and Marty McFly 
Back to the Future (1985)

Marty: A red puffer jacket is the key piece of Marty's outfit. Team up with a checkered shirt, denim jacket and jeans. That's right - double denim. Don't forget a comfy pair of white trainers - Converse would do nicely. Don the dazed and confused look to fully match Marty.

Doc: A white one piece would be best, if not you could get away with a lab coat. White hair is a must - a wig or lots of talcon powder or even dry shampoo (not rubbed in) will do just the trick. Make sure is big and crazy like the good man himself! Add a black belt and some tools you think the Doc would have handy. Remember to express, with wide eyes, the 'OH MY GOODNESS THIS ACTUALLY WORKS' reaction.

Image: lifebetweenframes.blogspot.com

Shaun and Ed
Shaun of Dead (2004)

Sean: Another simple costume - white shirt, black trousers and a red tie (either around your head for the look seen later in the movie or as below). Include a name tag which you can print off from Google. Make sure you have the all important 'red on you'. Include the cricket bat to attack those zombies.

Ed: You can purchase Ed's 'I Got Wood' t-shirt from Amazon. Add a pair of long shorts and comfy trainers for the basics. To make it look like you didn't just turn up in your casual Saturday outfit, pop a splatter of fake blood on the t-shirt and hold a garden spade. You can always do Ed's look at the end of the film too - a great idea for Halloween.

Image: galleryhip.com

 Tweedle Dum & Tweedle Dee
Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Take some inspiration from Neil Patrick Harris and husband David Burtka. They have some incredible Halloween costumes and include the whole family too!

Image: graziadaily.co.za

Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee: Bright and bold. Yellow shirt, blue bow ties and striking red trousers. Include the white collars (or waistcoats as above) and the adorable hats to finish off. You can easily vary certain parts of the costume - for instance you could replace the trousers for red leggings and heels or perhaps a red skirt.

Image: alice-in-wonderland.net

Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Mia: Brilliant if you have a black bob haircut with a fringe. If not, you must get a wig for this costume. Pair it with a white shirt with long sleeves and cropped bootcut trousers. We only see Mia's shoes for a split second - she spends most of her time bare foot. However, if you want to save your feet, pop on a pair of gold or metallic flats. Add a dark bold lip and blood red nails to finish.

Vincent: Again, great if you have long hair to tie back in a pony. If not, go for the wig option. Simply wear a blazer, white shirt, black trousers and black shoes. To complete, add a bootlace tie. Oh, and don't forget to twist.

Image: en.wikipedia.org

The Classic Couple

If you don't want to go down the quirky route, keep it classic with one of the most iconic movie couples.

Sandy and Danny
Grease (1978)

Sandy: This is the sexy Sandy. Big curly hair, preferably blonde - if not go for a wig. For the face, a bright red lip, a subtle smokey eye and small hooped gold earrings. Don't worry, you won't have to get sewn into this outfit, as Olivia Newton John did! Instead go for black fitted leggings or disco pants. For the top half, go for an off shoulder black top and add a belt round the waist. Finish with some sexy red heels. Feeling a little chilly? Throw on a leather jacket too.

Danny: Another simple costume idea. Black t-shirt and black trousers. The main thing? The hair. Slick it back and have a comb as a prop. Again, you can always go for a wig.

Image: pinterest.com

Need a group fancy dress?

Definitely for those medic bar crawls or if you have a huge group of you attending a party together, why not try going for a group fancy dress?

Ghostbusters (1984)

A popular costume favourite. Go for all beige, preferably with some overalls but you can easily improvise. Make your own name tag and print off the Ghostbusters logo and attach to the sleeve. You can even get a badge to sew on if you want to go all out. The other important component is the proton pack. You can buy an inflatable one, but making your own is way more fun. Check out the different versions you can go for by clicking here.

Image: insidemovies.ew.com

Oompa Loompas from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

My housemate at uni did this with her medic friends and it was hilariously brilliant. Be prepared to brave the orange make up and green wigs. White eyebrows are important too! Wear a brown t-shirt and white dungarees over the top. If you can't source the dungarees, go for white shorts and braces. Complete the costume with a stripey collar and stripey socks.

Image: telegraph.co.uk

The Addams Family (1991)

Da-na-na-na *click click*...

There are plenty of characters to chose from with the Addams Family. You could always go as one of them for an individual costume idea. Think gothic - lots of black, eyeliner and stripey tops. Key things to remember: plaits for Wednesday, bold red lip for Mortica and dark eyes and bald head for Fester.

Image: sgnewwave.com

Also, someone with very long hair has to go as Cousin Itt. Pop a pair of sunnies and a bowlers hat on top and you're done!

Image: weku.fm

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Everyone will know exactly what movie you're from with this one. Dorothy, the Lion, Tin Man, Scarecrow and Toto are the key characters. You could also include Glinda or even one of the flying monkeys! The Wicked Witch of the West is perfect as a Halloween costume in itself. The great thing about these iconic costumes is you can be creative to achieve each look. For instance, you could make the Tin Man have a modern look with a bold metallic silver eye and lip makeup. Or if you're really stuck, you can always just wrap yourself up in foil!

Image: primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk

Hopefully that has given you some cool ideas to impress your friends at your next party.

Show me your film fancy dress creations by tweeting @TicketStubBlog or in the comments below.

Best of the Bank Holiday Films

Stuck for things to do this bank holiday weekend?
How about checking out these films on telly over the next few days.

Ticket Stub has picked the best of the bunch, so grab the popcorn, sit back and relax with these movies over the weekend...

Friday:

Precious (2009), BBC2, 11.05pm

Image: nytimes.com

Based on the novel Push by Sapphire, this film achieved critical acclaim in 2009. It tells the story of Claireece Precious Jones: an illiterate and obese sixteen year old who is abused by both her mother and father in 1980s Harlem. She is enrolled into an alternative school in the hopes that her harrowing life will turn around. The movie was nominated for six awards at the Oscars and won two - Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Mo'Nique's performance as Precious's mother, Mary Lee Johnston.

(500) Days of Summer (2009), Channel 4, 11.40pm 

PICK OF THE DAY

Image: lavitastella.com

The story of Summer and Tom is not a love story - we're told this from the very beginning. Much like Annie Hall (1977), this off beat rom-com looks at Tom's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) failed relationship with Summer (Zooey Deschanel). The non-linear narrative is creative and clever. I love the quirky elements in the film including this brilliant dance number which was featured in Ticket Stub's Top Ten Dance Sequences. A huge highlight is the soundtrack - Regina Spektor, The Temper Trap, Simon & Garfunkel and The Smiths feature. Have a listen on Spotify, it will not disappoint.

Saturday:

The Wizard of Oz (1939), Channel 5, 3pm

Image: boktowergardens.org

A musical classic. After a tornado hits her home in Kansas, Dorothy is transported to the magical land of Oz. There she must follow the yellow brick road to meet the Wizard after accidentally killing the Wicked Witch of the East. Along the way she meets a brainless scarecrow, a heartless tin-man and a cowardly lion who all have their own reasons to meet the almighty powerful Oz. To find out more quirky facts about the film, check out Ticket Stub's Throwback Thursday Trivia.

Murder on the Orient Express (1974), ITV, 3.55pm

Image: moviemail.com

Based on Agatha Christie's novel, this is considered one of, if not, the best book-to-movie adaptations of Christie's work. After the train is stalled by a snow landslide, Poirot is summoned to solve a murder that has occurred the night before. The film stars Albert Finney, Ingrid Bergman, and the late, Lauren Bacall. Bergman won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Greta.



Jumanji (1995), GOLD, 6.50pm

Image: drafthouse.com

After the tragic death of Robin Williams last week, many TV networks have been airing Williams's best work. Jumanji is a great family adventure which had me on tenterhooks as a kid. The movie centres on Alan, a 12 year old boy who finds the dangerous board game Jumanji and gets trapped playing the game with his friend, Sarah. When siblings, Judy and Peter, play twenty six years later, they unintentionally release Alan and attempt to save Sarah and finally finish the unpredictable game. To see Ticket Stub's tribute to Robin Williams click here.

Star Wars: Episode VI - The Return of the Jedi (1983), ITV, 9.45pm

Image: thefancarpet.com

For sci-fi fans, here is your pick of the day. The third installment of the Star Wars saga follows straight after the previous episode. After rescuing Han Solo from the palace of Jabba the Hutt, the rebels must attempt to destroy the second Death Star. At the same time, Luke Skywalker struggles to bring Darth Vader, his father and fallen Jedi, back from the dark side of the Force. Many will be looking forward to the new Star Wars: Episode VII, scheduled for 2015. Unfortunately, Harrison Ford recently broke his ankle whilst on set but is reportedly to be recovering well!



The Full Monty (1997), Sky1, 9pm
PICK OF THE DAY

Image: theguardian.com

The Full Monty is a much loved British comedy. Not only is it hilarious, it is also set in one the best cities - Sheffield. The movie sees six unemployed steel workers form their own Chippendales-style striptease act, with the promise of going the full monty. The ensemble cast, which includes Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy and Tom Wilkinson, are highly entertaining. The film scored critical acclaim internationally. It was the highest grossing film in the UK until the big blockbuster Titanic came along. The film was also nominated for four Oscars and won Best Original Music Score. 

Insomnia (2002), BBC2, 11pm

Image: seetimaar.wordpress.com

Another Robin Williams film, this time in one of his more serious roles. Insomnia follows the story of two LA homicide detectives investigating a murder of a local teen in an Alaskan town. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this remake also stars Hilary Swank and Al Pacino. A tense thriller for a Saturday night.

Sunday:

Edward Scissorhands (1990), Film4, 4.40pm
PICK OF THE DAY

Image: deppimpact.com

This is Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's first collaboration. The story follows an inventor's unfinished creation - Edward - who has scissors for hands (clue's in the title!). When he is taken in by a suburban family, he falls in love with the daughter, Kim. Although many of the town folk fear Edward, he has a gentle soul which Kim immediately connects to and the pair fall in love. 

Danny Elfman's music is enchanting and it is an excellent film to introduce new audiences of Burton's work to. Find out more about the famous Edward Scissorhands costume, by clicking here.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), GOLD, 6.50pm 

Image: tempi.it

Certainly the best film to combine live action and animation together. Bob Hoskins stars as Eddie Valiant - a private detective investigating a murder involving Roger Rabbit. Directed by the legendary Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, Cast Away), the movie is a popular favourite for all the family. The film won four Academy Awards: Best Sound Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing along with a Special Achievement Award for Richard Williams. This was for 'animation direction and creation of the cartoon characters'.

Miss Congeniality (2000), Watch, 6.55pm

Image: derekwinnert.com

A girly film starring Sandra Bullock as an undercover FBI agent who has to take part in Miss United States beauty pageant competition to find out who is to sabotage and bomb the show. Bullock is charming and hysterical as the tomboy agent. She is also joined by a wonderfully camp Michael Caine. Full of gags and entertaining performances.







Monday:

Rio (2011), Film4, 12.50pm

Image: cartoonsimages.com

After its recent sequel hitting cinemas earlier in the year, the first movie Rio flies onto our small screens. Animated by Dreamworks, it tells the tale of Blu - a rare domesticated macaw - who is taken from his comfy life in Minnesota to Rio de Janeiro to mate with the female macaw, Jewel. The cast looks splendid with voices from Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Jane Lynch, Jamie Foxx and, rather randomly, will.i.am.




The King and I (1956), Film4, 2.40pm

Imag: screenmom.com

It wouldn't be a bank holiday without a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Deborah Kerr plays Anna Leonowens, an English widow who comes to Siam in 1862 to tutor the children of the King. Despite their culture clash, the two fall in love. The musical was nominated for nine Oscars and won four, including Best Actor for Yul Brynner.

Airplane! (1980), Film4, 7.15pm

PICK OF THE DAY

One of the most ridiculously silly comedies ever. Airplane! is a satirical disaster spoof which sees Ted, an ex-pilot afraid of flying, attempt to win back the heart of flight attendant, Elaine, on a long haul flight. However, when a virus hits the passengers and crew, Ted must save everyone on board. Starring Leslie Nielsen, the gags come thick and fast with slapstick, sight gags, plenty of puns and dead pan acting. If you don't like one joke, you're bound to like the next.   

I hope you have a wonderful bank holiday weekend!

What films will you be seeing at the cinema or at home this weekend?

Don't forget to follow Ticket Stub on Twitter @TicketStubBlog

Throwback Thursday Trivia: The Wizard of Oz

Image: boktowergardens.org

This year sees the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz (1939).

With the re-release of the film coming soon to cinemas, it seems appropriate that for this week's Throwback Thursday Trivia, I will lead you down the yellow brick road of facts which you may not know about the family classic.

Dark Side of the Rainbow

Image: hyperbole.es

Pink Floyd's legendary 1973 album, Dark Side of the Moon, and The Wizard of Oz are coincidentally linked. The visual aspects of the film and the album synchronized together create moments where the two appear to correspond to each other extremely well. Although dismissed by the band members, it is certainly amazing the amount of connections between the two works of art. Some instances include: 'Great Gig in the Sky' beginning when the first tornado arrives, 'Us and Them' plays whilst Dorothy meets the Wicked Witch of the West and as the Scarecrow sings 'If I Only Had a Brain', 'Brain Damage' plays. Not only this but the iconic artwork for the album reflects the transition of moving from monochrome in Kansas to the Technicolor, over the rainbow, in Oz.

The pairing of the two has been named Dark Side of the Rainbow, Dark Side of Oz or The Wizard of Floyd. Watch it on YouTube here:

Lion's Costume

The cowardly lion's costume weighed nearly 100 pounds and was made with real lion pelts.

Image: fallingintowonderland.wordpress.com

Jell-O Make-Up

To film the changing colour of the horse in Emerald City, Jello-O crystals were stuck to the animal. The scenes had to be shot speedily as the horses would quickly lick the crystals off!

Apple Juice Magic

When the Witch tries to take Dorothy's ruby slippers, she is stopped by the firey sparks which prevent her from taking them. The special effect was actually achieved by apple juice spewing out of the shoes. The film was sped up to make it look like fire.

Image: broadwayworld.com

Toto vs. Munchkins

Toto was paid more than the actors who played the Munchkins. The dog, Terry, earned $125 a week. 

Image: fixnation.org

Tin Man's Oil

The Tin Man's oil was in fact chocolate sauce as real oil didn't show up sufficiently on film.

Image: thenightride.wordpress.com 

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

The most iconic song was nearly out of the movie as it was deemed too melancholy.

Hard to believe, now that many artists have covered the song. Here are my favourite versions of the classic:

Eva Cassidy

Pomplamoose:

The Blanks - featured in the 100th Scrubs episode, 'My Way Home', which references the movie throughout:

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