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The Power Inside - miniseries

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, miniseries are the best way to tell a story. “The Power Inside” is a miniseries I found on youtube one day in 2015. It was originally released in 2013 and it stars well known actors such as Harvey Keitel, Craig Roberts and the guy that played the stupid boyfriend from modern family.

It is a comedy miniseries, running for 6 episodes all of which around 10 minutes long. It was produced by Toshiba and Intel and appears to be one of three social film instalments by the two companies, as a way of advertisement for their products.

“The Power Inside” is a very funny miniseries, with a farfetched but amusing plot and talented actors which help pull it off. The plot follows the main character Neil, who is the only person able to defeat the Queen of an Alien invasion, an invasion that occurs every 30 years. This quality was passed down through his bloodline, and with his friends, and the annoying boyfriend of his love interest, he finds the courage to face the Alien. Does he defeat the Alien? Watch to find out.

It is a rather silly, yet enjoyable series, only lasting roughly an hour all up and is worth the watch. As I mentioned, I watched it in 2015 and it has stayed with me for almost 5 years. Upon rewatching it, it is still enjoyable, entertaining and funny, and I will most likely rewatch it in another 5 years time, or maybe even sooner.

- Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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My Fair Lady

When I would think of the 1964 film ‘My Fair Lady’, I would recall it as being one of my favourite films when I was a kid. However upon recently rewatching it I have no clue as of why. Perhaps I never got through the whole film, as it is a three hour movie and I was eight years old, or perhaps I simply loved a good makeover scene but now that I have recently rewatched it, I can easily say it is a ridiculously sexist and annoying film. It does have one redeeming factor however, no make that two. Number one, the artwork on the poster for the film is simply beautiful and number two, the race scene.

It is so different, style wise, in comparison to the rest of the film. It’s artistic and quite hilarious and I do believe it is making a political or maybe social statement, it is at least definitely poking fun at rich people and going to the races through the lack of enthusiasm of everyone. I mean the fact that they all look through their binoculars when the horses run right in front of them is bloody genius. Another theory of mine is that they could be acting as chorus as scene in Greek plays, although more on that later.

The wardrobe is beautiful and the choreography is amazing and delicate, I mean look at those hats and my lord the dresses are gorgeous. Also the choreography is really rather clever and comical, I only wish the rest of the film was this witty and artistic.

Obviously Audrey Hepburn is the best part of any scene but in this scene she is positively hilarious, the dialogue is so proper yet so improper it’s positively splendid. I myself am a massive fan of Audrey and old films, and I did wish to love this film, however the race scene is the only part that I can actually praise and say is amazing because the rest is, as I mentioned, sexist and very annoying.

Now taking it back to my theory on the Greek Chorus, the origins of the concept of “My Fair Lady” is actually from a greek myth. In short, a sexist misogynistic man who despises women because they are so sinful, falls in love with the Goddess Aphrodite. So he sculpts the perfect sculpture of Aphrodite, and he believes he has created the perfect woman. He falls in love with the statue and he longs for her to be real. He prays to Aphrodite that his statue comes to life and his prayer is granted. She was the same dead in the eyes woman, just all that had change was that now she was real.

Now this is a brief summary of the myth, but the point is still there. This man thought the perfect version of a woman is one with out any opinions or her own voice, and this is the premise of the whole film. Throughout the whole film, Henry Higgins is teaching Eliza Doolittle how to think, act and talk, it’s very fucked up and Henry is the worst human alive. The fact that the film tries to make us believe that those two end up together is flabbergasting and rather ridiculous. No self respecting woman would ever be with him and Eliza can do so much better.

But I digress, this one scene in the whole film is fantastic film making and honestly one of my favourite scenes, just the fact that it is apart of that film is a tad annoying. I really encourage you to watch the scene because it truely is a work of art.

Greek Mythology story: “Lets Talk About Myths Baby” - podcast

- Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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This is the poster for my new short film, coming 2020!

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The Owl written by 10 year old Millie Rowley

It was cold, even in her woolly jumper Liz was shivering. She could see the owl through her camera lens but she couldn’t get that perfect shot. She’d been waiting for the perfect moment to take the perfect picture. The owl looked at her, its eyes soulless and cold. When she had first scene the owl, she was lost in its empty eyes, it looked like it was screaming and yet, silence was upon her ears. It had been two long and lousy hours of waiting for that one shot, she had already taken hundreds of unsatisfying pictures. Liz looked at the owl, she was amazed that it was still there after what seemed like an eternity of unpleasant photography, and there had not been a movement or a sound out of the owl. But then Liz saw it, the perfect moment, ‘Click’.

Written by Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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Washing Up written by 11 year old Millie Rowley

The boy couldn’t see, it was dark, the lights were off and there was no one to be seen. He hoped that with any luck he could make it past without being noticed, but then he saw it. A big, dark shadow in the corner of the room. The lights came on and it was the most horrible thing he could imagine, an old grumpy sight, but then he noticed something even worse. A sink, filled with hot, steamy, soapy water. He was busted!

Written by Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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The Dare written by 14 year old Millie Rowley

I’m standing here, the new kid in town, I have to do it. I’m gazing at the door bell, which seems to get bigger and bigger as I get smaller and smaller. I know what you're thinking, but I just don’t want to press it. It's not because the curling vines look like they infested the house, or that the discoloured white paint peels from its host like leprosy, the house is just plain creepy. This feeling is accentuated by the accompanying odour of decay and moth balls. 

I’ve heard stories that the guy that lives here steals children and eats them. I can see him through the dusty window, he is facing the other way whilst sitting in his brown leather chair that needs a serious upgrade. I extend my right arm to press the bell but pause, my finger just hovering over it waiting to gather the courage to press it. The other kids are gesturing for me to press it, so I close my eyes and push. I can hear it echo all through the house. I’m about to run when the door flies open and in my peripheral vision I see a hand reach out and grab my shoulder. I scream with all my might and as I’m pulled into the house, I can see everyone running for their lives and yelling “RUN FOR IT, SHE’S BEEN TAKEN, RUN!”

The door is slammed closed, the old man lets go of me and I turn around to face him. We stare at each other for a few seconds and then we burst out laughing. After catching our breath we walk towards the kitchen and he asks ‘D’ya want a cup of tea?’

‘I’d love one gramps.’ I reply.

Written by Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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Pride and Prejudice: a mini series

Pride and Prejudice, the British 1995 mini series, is by far the best rendition of the classical book written by Jane Austen to date. I am a big believer that the best way to correctly portray a novel and stay true to the material, is by mini series. It follows the novel almost word for word and in my opinion, it’s better than the book. I tried reading the novel and it took me while, simply because of all the old english, as well as the fact that it was written in 1813 and in comparison to modern stories, not much happens. However, it is definitely done justice through that of a visual medium. The beautiful costume, set design and locations all playing a major part.

Also don’t even get me started with comparing it to the American Keira Knightley version (or the monstrosity that is “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”). The British version is better because it is a simply story, which I believe British television understands better than American television. The mini series, consisting of six, hour long episodes, allows you to admire and appreciate the scenery, characters and their simple way of living. It is such a heart warming and wholesome watch, and it brings up my mood whenever I watch it.

Colin Firth does such a great portrayal of the proud character, Mr Darcy and Jennifer Ehle beautifully portrays the strong headed, however prejudiced, Eliza Bennet. Watching their relationship and love blossom over their several meetings gives me a warm feeling inside, as you can see the character development change as their relationship changes. Colin and Jennifer great in their roles, but the next best is, by far, David Bamber, in his role as the insufferable Mr Collins. His performance is hilarious, and at times it is difficult to watch his character, as he stumbles through social interactions.

Now don’t even get me started on the set and costume design, it is simply magnificent. The dresses in the 1800′s were absolutely beautiful and elegant, and the hair styles are graceful. The locations used are beautiful and authentic, mainly because they are real locations and not just sets made for the series.

The humour of this series is, I believe, severely underrated. It is so subtle, and the absurdity of their everyday and social occurrences back then makes me laugh just thinking about it. There is one moment, my favourite in the whole of the series, when Caroline Bingley (an antagonist) asks Eliza to “take a turn about the room”. What this means is to simply walk around the room, how absurd is that! It’s the equivalent of you and your sibling or parent just walking around your lounge room in circles, just for something to do! I love it. Also, as a side note, the 1990′s editing is comedy in itself, it is amazing.

I’m going to have to stop there and let you check it out for yourself because I could go on for the length of the novel. Now I know all I have talked about regarding the plot is the relationship between Eliza and Mr Darcy, but the plot is so much more than that. There is disgraced families, arranged marriages, forbidden romance and many other side stories happening. Pride and Prejudice is, to put it simply, a master piece and it has been the inspiration for many other stories. Some great examples of this is “Bridget Jones Diary” and the mini series, “Lost in Austen”, as well as many more. 

You’re just going to have to just take my word for it, and watch it. You’ll be speaking like them and walking around your living room in no time.

- Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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One Happy Day a Year

Everyday she awakes to the irritating sound of her alarm, it’s always a sure fire way to ensure she is in a bad mood from the get go, but today is different. Today, she is going to make sure that she is in a good mood for her birthday. As soon as she turns off her alarm, she catches herself groaning at the thought of getting out of bed, but she stops herself and forces a smile on her face,

“Not today! Today is going to be a good day.”

She rolls over, picks up her ‘self assistance’ book and reads the chapter “Smile the pain away”, before getting up and getting ready for work. Whilst driving to work she encountered an unwelcome amount of traffic, but before she can start to complain, through gritted teeth she plasters a wide smile across her face.

“Not today! Today is going to be a good day.”

She turns on the radio, hoping to catch an upbeat tune, but as usual, all she could find is the news. Hoping for good news, she listens with optimism, 

“A man and his wife were murdered toda..”

*click*

“A group of murderous thieves are on the loose..”

*click*

“Today on your local radio, we have nothing but bad news. Three houses have been broken in..”

With that she decided it best to not listen to the radio, instead listening to the sound of the sweet horns of the gridlock traffic.

By the time she arrived at work, she was late, more so than usual. She decided it be best to enter through the back door, trying to make it appear as though she had been at work that whole time. She was however, caught by her irritating supervisor, Rachel.

“Late again I see”, announced Rachel condescendingly.

“What? No I just popped out to my car because I forgot my..” she began to explain, forcing a grin on her face.

“I don’t want to hear your sad excuses”, blurted Rachel, cutting her off and just staring at her.

She didn’t really know what Rachel wanted of her, and after standing there awkwardly for an agonising thirty seconds and smiling at Rachels sour face, she just decided to turn and uncomfortably make her way through the door.

As she made her way to the kitchen, she noticed a massive banner saying,

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”

She wasn’t shocked, she had been dropping hints to her coworkers all week that today was her birthday, she knew they would do something.

“All this for me?” she announced with as much modesty she could handle, but she didn’t get the reply she was after.

“Oh, is your birthday in June also?” replied ditsy Emilia, with her irritatingly high pitched voice and desirable complection.

“What do you mean?”

“Well last week we decided that on the first of every month we would celebrate everyone who has a birthday in that month with a cake, it’s more work efficient that way don’t you think?” Explained Emilia with her patronising kindness.

“Mhm, sounds .. yep!” She relied with a forced grin that took every ounce of patience she had. All she wanted was one day, one great, happy birthday unlike every birthday before and it seemed that at every turn the world was out to get her. Not only did no one know that it was her birthday, but now she has to share it with everyone else, hell she even had to share it with ‘Freaky Francene’!

From that moment on, she tried her hardest to keep a smile on her face but eventually decided there was no point in trying to be happy for her birthday, because birthdays aren’t a happy day. After everyone had had a slice of the crappy cake, which was stale by the time she got a piece, she decided to leave work an hour early because she just wanted the day to be over.

Upon her arrival home, she sat in her car for a moment and sighed. As she got out of her car and made her way to her front door she heard a noise come from within her house. She slowly opened her door and peeped her head through. Upon doing so she saw a figure hiding, shamefully bad, amongst her pot plants. At that moment, all her optimism for her birthday came rushing back - a surprise party just for her!

She crept through the door and down her hall way to the light switch. With a big grin, she turned it on and there was a blinding light, blurring her vision. As her eyes adjusted, she got the biggest surprise of her life, although that doesn’t mean it was a good one. The last thing she heard was a loud bang and the world around her began to disappear as an intense pain took over her whole body. Her smile weakened and her legs caved in, collapsing to the ground. 

As she was laying on her cold tiled floor, she stared into the eyes of one of the masked faces, who was standing over her. They began collecting her things and with the slam of the front door, and her vision fading to black, she forced her mouth to form a distorted smile, trying one last time to smile the pain away.

Written by Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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Listen to this beautiful and powerful song written and performed by Ebony Kendra. “A letter for my future children”, is on the basis of a topic I am passionate and worried about, the climate crisis we are currently facing. 

“A letter for my future children” is without a doubt one of my favourite songs of this year, the vocals are beautiful and angelic, the lyrics are impactful and rather catchy. I have had the lyrics stuck in my head from the first moment I heard it.  All up this song gives me goosebumps on my goosebumps every time I listen to it and it is a song I highly recommend.

It was written and released right before this election, to raise awareness and to get voters thinking about what actions need to be taken in this election, in order to save not only our future, but that of generations to come. It makes me not only sad and scared to think of the state our beautiful Mother Earth is in, it makes me angry.

We need to make a change to our government and the state of our World.  Ebony Kendra is doing all she can to do her part and every time I listen to this song, it makes me want to try harder in doing mine.

- Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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Hymn to Apollo by John Keats

John Keats, born 1795, was an English Romantic poet during his short life of 25 years. Keats was only a published poet during the last 4 years of his life.

Upon reading ‘The Poems of John Keats’, I discovered that he wrote a lot of the Gods, specifically Greek (or perhaps Roman as Apollo has the same name in both Greek and Roman mythology), in his “Odes, lyrics and songs”. A good example of this is John Keats “Hymn to Apollo”, where he mentions Apollo, Laurel crowns and much much more. 

The way I interpret it, is that it is about John comparing himself to the Gods, I get this from the line “like a blank idiot I put on my wreath”, and everyone who knows anything about the stories of Greek Gods knows that you never EVER compare yourself or your children to the Gods. This however I don’t think is his direct intention, due to research on interpretations of this poem.

My theory is also (I believe) supported by the lines “To tie, like a madman, thy plant around his brow. And grin and look proudly, And blaspheme so loudly...”. Although, now I think about it, he could also be comparing someone else to the Gods.

Hymn to Apollo is a beautiful poem and a recommend for a lover of romantic poetry.

Poem: “Hymn to Apollo” by John Keats.

- Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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Autumn by Stuart Rowley

Down Down, The leaves come down, Crick Crackle Crunch  The leaves in a bunch, Autumn winds wish away Leaves of a past season.

Making way for winter months, The leaves they fall at last, With them go my memories Of seasons that are past.

Stronger winds loom over head Clouds scud through the sky, Twisting coloured spirals Within them the birds they fly.

- Written by Stuart Rowley

This poem was originally started in 1978, when, at 8 years of age, my father wrote his first poem. He then proceeded to complete the poem ten years later, at the age of 18, in 1988. You can tell that time has passed between the first stanza compared to the last two due to the advancement in vocabulary and depth within the words. This is demonstrated through the first four lines, where it is obviously just an 8 year old boy, writing down what he sees in nature during Autumn time. This poem is my fathers favourite poem which he has ever written, I assume it is because it was his first and thus beginning his creative journey as a writer.

- Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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“Life Aquatic”, Camera by Millie Rowley.

- Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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Thoughts like music start to play, I wonder where you were today.

The Beach Boys, album “L.A.”, 1979.

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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“Baby Blue” by The Beach Boys

“Baby Blue”, written by The Beach Boys and released in 1979, is a song which has held a place in my heart from a very young age. It has such beautiful lyrics and a soft melody, that warms my heart whenever I hear it.

This song has been engraved in my mind and my soul, as well as my childhood. From my earliest days, my father would sing this song to me, purely because I have blue eyes and I was a baby. Even so, this is the first song on the soundtrack of my childhood and is instant nostalgia whenever it’s played, along with other songs such as “I wish I was a punk rocker’ by Sandi Thom, “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette and many more that are too embarrassing to share. “Baby Blue” has been sung to me when I was crying in my crib until now, for nearly 19 years this song has been sung to me by my father when I have been upset, as a way to cheer me up.

The song is very simple and poetically written, my favourite line being “Thoughts like music start to play”, which I feel perfectly explains what it’s like when someone is stuck on your mind, and all you can see in your head is their name, their face, and thinking of whether they are thinking of you.

To put my thoughts simply... the words are beautiful, the melody is beautiful and the voice it is sung by, is beautiful.

Song: “Baby Blue”, by The Beach Boys.

- Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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DAGON by H.P. Lovecraft

H.P. Lovecraft is a famous writer of fictional creatures and horror, most famously known for his Cthulhu stories. He is widely recognised for his short stories based around ‘fear of the unknown’ and has been an inspiration for many fantasy writers. 

The five page, short story ‘DAGON’ was written in 1917, about the emotional trauma of the newly insane, unnamed character who stumbles upon a land mass which has suddenly emerged for the depths of the ocean. Upon further investigation across the surface of the island, the then sane character discovers signs of an ancient civilisation. Through their investigations, they discover inscriptions that hint towards the civilisation having worshipped a sea creature. At the climax of the story they even encounter the incomprehensibly, terrifying monster that originates from the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean.

I personally, am a fan of Lovecraft’s form of storytelling and the language he uses, it is from a time where the english language was formal and flowery and rather beautiful, even though Lovecraft wasn’t a very educated man. Which is probably a good thing, as if it was any more flowery, I most likely wouldn’t be able to follow.

‘DAGON’ is intelligently executed, as the idea appears to be, in my eyes, a plausible one. We don’t know what is under the ocean, and I am most definitely intrigued. Also now more than ever would be the time anything intelligent living in the ocean may surface, because they would be pissed at all the mess we are leaving behind.

Getting back on topic, my reasoning for why I find it plausible is because it is theorised that “through some unprecedented volcanic upheaval, a portion of the ocean floor must have been thrown to the surface”. Personally, and this coming from someone who doesn’t know much about how science and nature works, I think that this explanation sounds, not only wicked, but rather believable. Also, he just puts it so gosh darn well.

To conclude, Lovecraft is a writer whose ideas stand the test of time and have a basis that is embedded into the human psyche. The stories he tells are intriguing and captivate the mind.

- Illustration by Luke Speech

- Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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Blue Eyes

“I stare into the eyes of the deep blue sea, and for the first time... the deep sea stares back”

- Photography and Poetry by Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree

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Wedding Wings (part 2): How the Honey Bee got its sting

It all began at the wedding of Hera and Zeus, and Zeus decided to make a competition out of the joyous event. Zeus told all of creation that “Whoever could devise the best and most original wedding dish could ask any favour of him”. Naturally, there was chaos at the announcement of this and everyone got creating. With all of the finest and delicious of delicacies brought before them, the winner of the competition was a seemingly shy and modest creature named ‘Melissa’.

Melissas chosen delicacy was a small amount of a sweet, glossy and smooth invention, the key ingredient of which was the nectar deep within the bed of flowers. This new, and rather time consuming creation, was named ‘honey’. Now as this was such a lengthy process for one such small, fragile and defenceless creature, it took weeks to simply make a mere tea spoons worth. And as this delicacy was so prominent in smell and so sweet in taste, all the near by animals would come in and eat all of her hard work!

As this was such a pressing issue for Melissa, upon the asking for the wish she would ask to be granted, she explained this dilemma to the mighty Zeus. Caught up in her annoyance and frustration she requested that she be gifted a weapon for which she would be able to defend herself from the greedy and rude animals that couldn’t resist the temptation of her delicious honey. Melissa even went so far as to request that this weapon would kill anyone it struck.

Zeus, however, saw such a request as an insult. How could someone so dramatic as to request a deadly sting for mere honey! Who was she to think she had created something so magnificent? As a response, Zeus refused her request and shooed her aside. But he had made a Godly promise, and Melissa wasn’t going to let him go back on that promise so she persisted. This however angered the mighty Zeus, someone so high (the highest in fact) shouldn’t be shown up by such a petty and insignificant creature. So, as a way of teaching a lesson (and showing his male dominance) he decided to grant her wish of the fatal and painful sting, but with a catch.

Zeus granted Melissa the sting, but the only death it would bring would be to herself and her kind, not to the opponent. So the only time a honeybee can use its sting is as a last resort, a suicide weapon. It is probably to most cruel and ironic joke played to any of the animals. If a honeybee were to try and free itself after piercing a predator, its barb like sting would stay lodged within the opponent, and at the mere act of freedom, the honeybee would tug out its own insides.

Now the question one might be asking is; why is this called “Wedding Wings”? Why not “Wedding Sting”? Well, you smart and quizzical cookies, it is because in science the name for ‘honeybee’ is ‘Hymenoptera’, which in Greek means ‘Wedding Wings’. 

Well, history, myth and science all in one. This story was brought to you through the knowledge of the mystical and ever knowing Stephen Fry and his wonderful book “Mythos”.

- Millie Rowley

- Leaves of the Laurel Tree