Reviews

Taylor Swift- “Look What You Made Me Do” Video Premiere

michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

Taylor Swift made tongues start talking once again, after premiering her Music Video for her latest single Look What You Made Me Do at the 2017 Video Music Awards this past Sunday.

Although Swift was not there to present it, (definitely a strategic move on her part #LetTheMusicDoTheTalking) her presence was largely felt in the strong images on the screen.

The video opens up in a cemetery with a zombified Taylor clawing her way out of her grave which reads “Here Lies Taylor Swift’s Reputation.” And the dark levels of imagery do not stop there, as Zombie Taylor proceeds to shovel dirt on top of her more “nice girl” self, lying there peaceful, arms crossed.

There’s a massive car crash scene, a scene where Taylor swings on a swing literally inside of a gold cage, robs a bank, lifts motorcycles with her bare hands, builds a squad of robots, and then dominates a dance routine in a sexy black number. Seriously though, my fav look of hers from the video. When I heard this song, this is the look I pictured her in.

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Needless to say, Taylor GOES ALL IN for this video. She calls out EVERYONE! Even herself.

At the 2:21 mark in the video, where Taylor begins singing the Bridge-

I don’t trust nobody and nobody trusts me
I’ll be the actress starring in your bad dreams

and then hitting us with the infamous line-

“I’m sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now.”
“Why?”
“Oh, ’cause she’s dead!” (ohh!)

the hair on my arms stood up as I got the chills as we see current Taylor standing on a pyramid of past versions of herself- the fallen Taylors if you will, all clawing to stay alive as they battle it out for the top spot- eventually losing their grip.

As if that visual wasn’t enough to convince us that Taylor has completely transformed into a “Give No Fucks” kinda girl, we then get a real treat at the end of the video as we see all the different versions of Taylor cat fighting, so to speak. We see sweet country singer Taylor calling everybody ya’ll and trying to keep the peace, we see circus ring leader Taylor bully her and call her fake, biker Taylor call her out for “playing the victim,” “snake lover Taylor” hissing, and many others who some may say call out the disses made about her by other famous celebs. It’s as if a tell all and a satire had a baby and this was the result. It is dynamite and ballsy as all hell. Hats off girl, speak your truth. #WEWILLLISTEN  

And yes there are tons of countless little references and hidden/not so hidden Easter eggs that point directly to the many people who have contributed to the down fall of the old, nice girl Taylor Swift. I won’t go into speculations, because let’s face it the internet is already going into overdrive with theories. Watch that video a ton of times and you won’t be able to unseen them! But girl damn. I am so intrigued by the route she is taking. I feel like she is pretty much a genius strategist. I don’t think she has really spoken out about anything publically regarding her new material and quite frankly I don’t see her doing so for this record. She’s lost all faith in the media to tell her story and do it justice.

In one of her latest social media posts, Taylor announced that her new album Reputation will be sold in partnership with Target. And with the album, fans will be able to purchase two collector magazines, which give them an insight into her creative process. Kind of like the personal voicemails she released on 1989 regarding how she wrote some of her lyrics, but more visual. The caption of the cover art for the magazine reading… There will be no further explanation. There will just be reputation.

rep mags

reputation

All of her posts have been quiet formal, very commercial. Almost a disconnect there. I think she is done with sharing her personal life, because somehow the media always spins it and she ends up adding fuel to the fire that others have taken and burned her with. I look forward to seeing more of THIS Taylor’s journey. It may be scaring the living daylights out of me, but I am in it and ready to see what you got for us TS.

Until we meet her next move.

xo

 

-<3-

 

Taylor Swift Goes Dark

michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

It’s no secret that the world has been in a whirlwind ever since Taylor Swift apparently deleted all of her social media posts. To be honest I didn’t think much of it, I thought oh maybe she was hacked, maybe she’s looking for a clean slate.

But then I heard she posted some images of a snake and low and behold the speculation amongst the media beast began.

Who is the snake?

Is she referring to the obvious choices- Kanye? Kim? Katy?

I’m not even going to go there. There are plenty of fans who have their theories- Google it if you must. I’ll let Taylor’s music do the talking.

FYI that snake image is actually quite terrifying.Screen-Shot-2017-08-23-at-12.48.24-PM-1503507325[1]

Taylor’s following social media posts included the announcement of her single which dropped at midnight on Thursday, and the release date of her 6th studio album. Along with those announcements Taylor also released her album title and artwork.

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EDGY, huh?

The album is entitled Reputation and is set to be released on November 10th! I am so ready! I didn’t realize how long it’s been, until now. Man I’ve missed T-Swift!

Something tells me this is going to be a whole new Taylor.

Not to segway, but I recently was checking in on Miley Cyrus (I know her album should be coming out soon too and she’s got new music out- Malibu, Younger Now) and in a recent interview on Jimmy Fallon she said something that really resonated with me and I am sure rings true here in Taylor’s case too. Wait Demi Lovato has new music out too and her album is coming out September 29th, damn the trifecta is coming! 

“With Bangerz too, I never tried to prove anything or not be myself. Anytime I say I’m being myself, whether I look like this, or I look completely different or I’m [dressed as] a panda, that is myself. I’m always being myself. It just depends what that is.” –Miley Cyrus

And I think her saying that makes absolute sense. Everyone goes through different parts of their lives, and we all change, we all grow, we all adapt. We all feel emotions and some of those emotions can lift us up, or tear us down, or help us write kick ass revenge anthems. Cue-the single. #LookWhatYouMadeMeDo

I totally dig this lyric video, the visuals are super cool and eerie, and the black, red, white, gray, color scheme, is GOLD when you hear the lyrics it all just goes.

In this song Taylor bites back at someone for making her change into a harder, more untrusting person. She does not make herself a victim, she does not act innocent. She owns up to her wrong doing, but also throws on the shade to this person (or people) that have stinted her once caring and generous ways. Basically saying that she tried with this person, gave them an inch and they took a yard.

Some lyrics that really have a bite include:

[Pre-Chorus]
But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time
Honey, I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time
I’ve got a list of names and yours is in red underlined
I check it once, then I check it twice, oh!

***

The world goes on, another day, another drama, drama
But not for me, not for me, all I think about is karma
And then the world moves on, but one thing’s for sure
Maybe I got mine, but you’ll all get yours

***

[Bridge]
I don’t trust nobody and nobody trusts me
I’ll be the actress, starring in your bad dreams

(Look what you made me do)
(Look what you made me do)
“I’m sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now.”
“Why?”
“Oh ’cause she’s dead!”

***

That last lyric mentioned is actually now, Taylor’s new twitter/instagram bio-

Bio

If you ask me, Taylor’s return to music (after three years since releasing the epic 1989) is highly calculated. She has a master plan here. Wiping her social media clean. Her edgy new look. The snake imagery. The new bio. She’s putting out a new vibe. She’s saying that all of this drama has caused her to change drastically. The old Taylor is gone, and we’re about to meet her evil twin sister. It’s a straight up telenovela. And I don’t hate it!

This is where she’s at now. And it looks like she’s ready to kick some ass. We got a taste of this boss lady in 1989’s Bad Blood…but I think this new album will be an entirely heightened level of calculated revenge. Shit’s been stirring for three years.

If we thought Dear John, and Better Than Revenge were intense because it shaded some of her famous exes…just wait! 

Everyone reinvents themselves- artists especially. With everything that she has been through- publically being shaded my Kanye and Kim and her recent assault case, it’s no wonder Taylor has been keeping a low profile and has gone a little edgy when it comes to expressing herself through music. Her reputation has been tested. Her life exploited. This is the new Taylor Swift. Fan or not, I know you’ll learn to love it. You just have no chance here. This song is going to be EVERYWHERE.

I’m super intrigued to see how this new Taylor Swift Era plays out, and I’m eager to hear what the rest of her album will sound like. I know I’ll be getting my tickets, when she goes on tour! I’m already planning an edgy outfit in my head, #ShesOnMyConcertBucketList

 

Look out for a full album review COMING SOON!

 

*I do not take credit for any images, lyrics, or videos used.*

-<3-

 

Netflix Picks

michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

So recently I’ve gotten into a bit of a habit of turning on Netflix and browsing through the Romantic Drama/Romantic Comedies Genre and just clicking play at the first sign of interest.

I’ve watched quite a few and I thought I’d share them with you.

One Small Hitch

This movie has all the makings of a Hallmark feel good film, with a twist. The twist…that major love scene. #YouKnowHallmarkIsTimid As typical as the storyline may be…we all saw it coming…this film was still a great passage of time. And was super fun!

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Be Somebody

This movie is one of those cute teen romances, between a young solo artist heartthrob and a young high school art student. It’s one of those films that kind of leaves you wanting more to the story. With this Justin Bieber looking male lead, and the cute actress that plays JLo’s daughter on Shades of Blue-you just want to see these two kids make it work. I really enjoyed it, but I wanted to see how things panned out, long-term. So many unanswered questions! 😀

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A Case of You

This movie was adorable. I love Justin Long! In this film he plays a struggling writer. (Hmm….instant relatability.) The whole story we follow his journey into crafting himself to be the perfect man for the object of his affection and writing it into story and it’s the sweetest thing- complete with comedy and drama. A+ 

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Playing it Cool

Chris Evans oh my! This movie is about yet another struggling writer. (I swear I get even happier when there’s a writer in the mix!) But the way that they showcase the character’s inner writer’s mind is so clever and so entertaining to watch. He has this way of putting himself into everyone’s stories and we get to see them awkwardly play out. Although this movie is the cliché of boy doesn’t believe in love until the inevitable “HER,” the movie somehow puts this fresh spin on it. She’s engaged. The ending was a little eh,, but overall, really good watch.

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All Relative

A movie with a twist that many of you will see coming. But it was still entertaining as hell. It bridges the gap between comedy and drama with a hint of crazy. You seriously question the characters and the family as a whole. If you think your family has problems…wait until you meet this family…what a twisted bunch!

 

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Blue Jay

A beautiful modern black and white film that will have you saying…wait what the hell is going on? What happened between these two? This movie is bizarre. We see two ex-lovers meet again years after their teen romance. And as they walk through the past we begin to see how much they really meant to each other and the pain of their past is revealed. I will be honest I knew this film would be one of the films that leaves you uncertain, and very they are where they are and there’s nothing they can do what smile and have this one moment, but I was still quite annoyed. I will always be the audience member rooting for love. But there was beauty in the love of these two characters.  I was waiting for some young flashbacks that we never got, but instead we saw these two characters indulge in past traditions at their current stage in life which was an interesting route to take, and I actually thought it worked rather nicely.

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If you have any Netflix picks of your own, leave them for me in the comments below!

 

*I do not take credit for any images, or videos used.*

-<3-

Supergirl Strikes Gold with Cat Grant “Dive” Speech

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As you may know my current Netflix obsession is the CW’s Supergirl. The show’s second season has just been recently added and I have been a very happy girl. In the premiere episode we see a conflicted Kara/Supergirl as she is now faced with many open doors. Finally getting a hold on her role as a heroine, she must explore her options in new areas of her life; her career and her love life. The man she has been in love with; James Olsen-has expressed how he wants something more than just friendship and her boss Cat Grant has decided to give her a promotion allowing her to choose any position she wants. The world is her oyster and she is completely stuck. She’s scared. She’s confused. So Cat gives her the encouragement she needs, the push that only Cat Grant can give, in her fashionable Cat flare. When I sat there hearing these words, they felt real to me. I could relate to that fear and that uncertainty. The need to want to stay within your safety zone. That fear of change. What she said made me think, made me question my own life. And once again I felt such a connection to this show, and I think that is something beautiful.

“Dive. You’re standing on the shore afraid to dive into the new waters. And you’re afraid because you don’t want to say goodbye to the mild mannered, love-lorn Kara Danvers; the sweet and dutiful assistant to Cat Grant. You are standing there looking out at your options- the icy blue water, the fast flowing river, and the choppy sea and they all look very appealing to you, because your dying to go for a swim. But you know that water is going to be cold, and the journey is going to be hard. And when you reach the other side you will have become a new person. And you’re scared to meet that new version of yourself. Now we all get used to our own personas, and we’re used to our own comfort zones, but trust me, in order to live we must keep daring, keep diving.” 

– Cat Grant [Season 2, Episode 1- Entitled “The Adventures of Supergirl”]

Speech @ 5:07

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl-oghg04_Y

 

Stream Seasons 1 & 2 on Netflix Now!

Cat Grant is played by Calista Flockhart and I can promise you this speech is just the first of many epic moments of wisdom and empowerment.

 

-<3-