THE END OF AN ERA...

Well I haven't been able to blog a lot lately as there hasn't been a lot out at the cinema to be honest. I feel like there is always waves with new releases, it's like they all come at once. Anyway it was Harry Potter time and I feel slightly sad as I remind myself that it is the last one...

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PT 2 3D (12A)

Director: David Yates
Verdict: I was a bit late in joining the Harry Potter fan club as I only read the fourth, six and seventh books (weird I know). Although I was late joining, by the end, I got pretty hooked in the books and it was always quite humorous at school because there was always a race to finish it before other people (I never won this race because I'm a slow reader!) Anyway after the last few films being pretty good, I was really looking forward to the last installment but I was also apprehensive about it because it was the last one and because the book is pretty damn cheesy. With most book adaptions the films never live up to the book and I still really agree with this, especially with this film. So this film sees Harry, Ron and Hermione try to finish Voldemort off for good and they have to destroy all of the horcruxes in order for this to happen.

There's a lot of twists and turns for people that haven't read the book but there's a lot of disappointments for the readers as things get rushed and missed out (in my opinion). I thought the majority of the effects were brilliant but there is one scene which I cringed at (room of requirement mayhem). I have been thinking about my rating for this film and I have found it really difficult because it was really good but perhaps not as good as I was expecting. I really felt like none of the main characters had a chance because no one seemed to have a particularly big part. I know that sounds silly but there seems to be A LOT of characters in this film and some don't even get to speak. Overall the film is really good and I have now seen it twice! I think it was a good ending to a wonderful series.

HORRIBLE BOSSES (15)

Director: Seth Gordon
Verdict: I was expecting big things from this movie because I really laughed at the trailer and I thought it looked pretty good. The story follows three friends who struggle in their work places due to their awful bosses. After a drunken night then decided they actually want to kill them (yes it's a little silly), so the film follows them attempting to kill each other's bosses.

I did laugh rather a lot and I really liked Charlie Day who played Dale has he produced the most laughs and I haven't seen him in much before. I was also very impressed with Jennifer Aniston because she played a completely different role than she normally does (even if she was playing a bit of a sl**). Anyway I would recommend this film if you are after a comedy because it will definately make you laugh at some point.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER (12A)

Director: Joe Johnston
Verdict: I could have gone to see this in 3D but I have decided that I really don't think 3D is worth it anymore unless the film has been made especially for that. I really wanted to see this because I thought the trailer looked pretty good but I can only say that I was a little disappointed. The film is based on another comic and The Avengers film which will release in 2012 will star Captain America and other characters including Iron Man. It was nothing on Iron Man at all because I like the way they make that modern and smart.

I do understand that Captain America was based around the war but I just found the whole thing rather cheesy, there were so many laughable one liners and the soundtrack was really awful at times. I did appreciate the effects but I felt like they glazed over all the action sequences and it just seemed like the whole film was building up to something but nothing spectacular came of it. I have decided to give it a pretty average rating because I think avid fans of the comic would really enjoy it and there's a little eye candy for the guys and girls!

Since coming back from my holiday, I've been pretty slack with my blog and I've started feeling very guilty about it so I decided that I must sit down and write my latest reviews. Normally I don't find it such a chore but I don't think I've come back to reality yet. I was also panicking about my uni result and am pleased with my 2:1 which I recieved today! So now I can relax properly over summer as I don't have to stress about re sits and I can keep up with my blog (hopefully).

KUNG FU PANDA 2 3D (PG)

Director: Jennifer Yuh
Verdict: I was really looking forward to this because I had recently become a fan of the first film. This film sees Po wanting to learn about his past as he does not believe that his father is his father (him being a panda and his Dad being a goose!) A peacock is the sequel's villian who Po and his kung fu friends try to defeat in order to save their land.

Overall I don't think I laughed as much in this film as I did with the first but this film should be classed a whole different level to other animations. Kung Fu Panda 2 seems more grown up and the animation is amazing. I do believe that the two films are created more for adults than children as I'm not sure there's enough to keep them entertained throughout. If you are into animations then it is a must see.

BAD TEACHER (15)

Director: Jake Kasdan
Verdict: This movie has had many bad reviews but I really don't agree with their harsh ratings. In her latest film, Cameron Diaz plays a teacher who is unfit for the job as she would rather be anywhere else. I would say this part of the film is totally unrealistic as I don't even know how she would even get the job in the first place. However, it's a movie and look at the title so realism is obviously not the key. Elizabeth (Diaz) is saving up for a boob job as she wants to attract the new male teacher in the school (Justin Timberlake). It sounds slightly lame but there are a lot of laughs a long the way.

If Timberlake and Jason Segel weren't present in this movie then it would be pretty awful as Diaz's acting has a lot to be desired. Lucy Punch (a prim teacher), Phyllis Smith (who is almost like Diaz's wing woman) and John Higgins (head teacher) create a lot of laughs too. Overall I did laugh quite a lot and I would watch the film again so I've given it quite a high rating because it's good fun.

BRIDESMAIDS (15)

Director: Paul Feig
Verdict: I went to see this the day I got back from holiday as me and Dan decided to have a cinema day as we had missed out on the release of this film and Transformers. We went to see both in the same day, such geeks. Anyway I was really looking forward to this film because the trailer was so funny and it just looked like a female version of The Hangover. The film follows two best friends who start to drift apart when one is due to get married and the other has to arrange the bridal shower etc.

I thought the acting was really natural from all the actors, especially from Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolf (what a name) and Chris O'Dowd. I have grown a love for Kristen Wiig as I have seen her in a few things such as Whip It and I love that she wrote this film because some moments are really easy to relate to. The cast were so funny and there are a few particular moments in the film when the entire cinema burst into laughter and hysterics because it is so funny and ridiculous. I think this is a brilliant film for 2011 and I think everybody would love it, even men!

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON 3D (12A)

Director: Michael Bay
Verdict: I was really not looking forward to seeing this but I had to go and see it as Bridesmaids was for me really. I don't think there is much point in me trying to explain the film because it wouldn't be a very good description to be honest. The only thing I gathered was that the cars/monsters/machines (whatever they're called) were living quite happily on earth when the nasty Autobots (is that it!?) or are they Decepticons (pfft who knows) are trying to take Earth over as they don't like working with the humans. Anyway, I thought it was quite good to begin with as the action is pretty hardcore and the effects are brilliant but as I was sitting there, nearly two and half hours later, I couldn't help but think they had gone a little over the top and I was fed up with seeing machines fighting in deep voices.

The next day, the previous film was on TV and I just thought it seemed exactly the same as the latest one (even though an avid fan would disagree). Overall, I'm sure action lovers and pretty girl oglers would love this film, just like my boyfriend, but this is not one I will be pre-ordering on DVD.

LARRY CROWNE (12A)

Director: Tom Hanks
Verdict: This movie has had some pretty harsh reviews and I think they are quite unfair really. I have heard that it just seems like Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts in a movie, not acting or anything but I don't quite agree. Although it's not one of my favourite movies and I'm not sure I would jump to watch it again, I think it was pretty good. Tom Hanks plays Larry who gets fired from his supermarket job where he has been for years as he has no college background. The movie follows Crowne as he enrolls in a local college and starts on a 'life changing' course, which teaches the students how to speak to audiences etc. Julia Roberts plays the professor of the course who is very unhappy in her life with her low life husband. She did start to grate on me as I felt like shouting, "Buck up, you moody cow"!

Anyway, overall I liked the idea and the story because the college issue is very current. The only annoying thing about the film is that he makes friends with a young woman who encourages him to be more confident and to dress cooler. I didn't think this relationship was particularly realistic but I tried to believe in it. I've given it quite a high rating but I don't see why not because it made me smile and it was a 'nice' film, and it contained no car robots!