A GOOD WEEK FOR CINEMA

I haven’t felt this positive about writing my blog in a long time. I feel really inspired by the films I’ve watched this week because they’ve made me happy in different ways.

Faye

THE FIGHTER (15)

Director: David O Russell

Verdict: I didn’t rush to see this film when it came out because I didn’t think I would enjoy it. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Although I didn’t get excited over the subject matter, boxing, overall I thought the film was brilliant. I felt like this was one of Christian Bale’s best performances and I cannot believe he didn’t win the Bafta for supporting role. To be honest, I even felt he deserved the best leading role. I felt he captured the character amazingly and I truly went through the emotions with his character. I didn’t think Mark Wahlberg was particularly captivating but he did alright! I definitely believe Melissa Leo, who played their mother, deserves her Oscar nomination as I thought she was remarkable in her part. I feel like this movie may have been over shadowed by ‘The King’s Speech’ as I believe it’s far better. I loved the film overall, as it created parallels throughout and I loved the way it was directed.

JUST GO WITH IT (12A)

Director: Dennis Dugan

Verdict: I thought this film looked really funny from the trailer so I was really looking forward to going to see it. I was slightly worried that they had shown all the funny bits in the trailer though. However, they definitely didn’t do that. I don’t know if I was just in a giggly mood but I thought this film was hilarious! Adam Sandler didn’t annoy me as much as he usually does and I thought he had a good chemistry with Jennifer Aniston. I thought the children characters were brilliant and created a lot of laughs and I think for what it is; this film deserves the stars I’ve given it. A true comedy for both the guys and girls.

TRUE GRIT (15)

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Verdict: This film really confused me because I was expecting a lot of shooting and some scary parts, but don’t ask me why I thought this. Although there were some shooting scenes, I thought this film was quite soft for the Coen brothers but I understand it is a remake and originally a book. However, I felt the three main actors, Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Hailee Steinfeld were really impressive in this film. I truly believe Steinfeld deserves not only her Oscar nomination but a win. I cannot believe she is only fourteen and this is her first major role, she is amazing! I nearly gave this film a lower rating than I have because I really didn’t like the ending as I believe it should have ended differently and I felt like the film suddenly ended. However, I have reminded myself that this is an adaption from a novel. Overall I did like this film and I believe it really uplifted me in some parts.

NOTHING TAKING MY FANCY

I feel very ashamed of myself because I have really struggled to bring myself to writing these reviews. I’ve been very busy recently and it seems like I’ve lost the heart to sit down and write my posts. I want to carry on with my blog but I’m afraid my posts to come will be very short as they are becoming delayed. I have decided to not write the date I went to see them anymore because to be quite honest, I’m starting to not remember! Thanks again for reading!

Faye

HOW DO YOU KNOW

Director: James L. Brooks

Verdict: I was really looking forward to this because I love a good chick flick and I am a fan of Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd but I would say that I was slightly disappointed because I wasn’t quite sure about Witherspoon’s character. I did not think her actions were particularly realistic and I thought the film was far too long! I thought it went on and on but the ending seemed to be wrapped up pretty quickly!

THE MECHANIC

Director: Simon West

Verdict: For what it is, this film is pretty good! I got dragged along by my boyfriend as he particularly likes Jason Statham, where as I can’t stand him. I would say I did actually really enjoy this because it was pretty entertaining. There’s not much else to say other than, it is an obvious action film with some good extra elements to it.

TANGLED 3D

Director: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard 

Verdict: I don’t normally get excited about Disney but this time I did because I had heard some pretty good reviews which made me look forward to it a great deal. I would admit that it did not reach my expectations fully because the reviews seemed to be so positive but I did really enjoy it. I was impressed by the 3D and felt like it had all the right Disney elements to it.

HEREAFTER

Director: Clint Eastwood

Verdict: This was quite an unusual cinema experience for me because I went to see this film, thinking it was a completely different film. I thought it was a film that is actually coming out in March, ‘The Adjustment Bureau’. I’m just going to be honest when I say that I nearly fell asleep when I watched this film and I thought it was so slow and boring. It really didn’t help because I didn’t realise it wasn’t the film I was expecting till nearly the end when I sneakily looked on my phone to see what we were actually seeing!! The film seems to be about death basically and I really didn’t enjoy it. I’ve given it two stars because I thought the opening scene was really effective.

FAR TOO LONG

I really need to apoligise for my lack of posting recently, I have been so busy with university work. I am afraid I have decided to make this post very brief because a lot of films are coming out in the next week which I am really looking forward to so I thought I better get the long awaited reviews out the way. I apoligise in advance for how summarised these reviews are. I really hope to make my future posts better. Thanks for reading!

Faye

THE KING'S SPEECH
13th Jan 2010 (12A)

Director: Tom Hopper
Verdict: Although I did like this film, I did think that it would be much better suited to the older generation, as (obviously) not too much happens other than the King trying to speak properly! I did think that Colin Firth's performance was particularly good in this film and I really think he deserves his recent Oscar nomination. However, I would say I am slightly apprehensive about the film winning all its Oscar nominations as there are over ten! Overall a good film but not one to watch if you love an action filled movie.

THE GREEN HORNET 3D
15th Jan 2010 (12A)

Director: Michael Gondry
Verdict: I wasn't particularly looking forward to this film if I were to be honest because I get slightly irritated by the actor Seth Rogan. I find his characters all the same and he grates on me a greal deal. I would say he still didn't change my mind but overall I thought the film was pretty good. I thought his partner, Jay Chou was a really great actor and his character was brilliant. The action was just enough for me and at some moments in the film, I was really laughing hard. I would say that it does take a while to get funny but there is a moment in the film where it seems to suddenly get good. I would recommend this film (although I'm not even sure it's still out in the cinema...oops)! I would also like to mention that I only just remembered it was 3D when I had looked it up so that is something I would add...the 3D aspect was VERY poor.

MORNING GLORY
22nd Jan 2010 (12A)

Director: Roger Michell
Verdict: As I have stated before in my reviews, I really love a good 'rom-com' and this didn't disappoint. I would say there was more 'com' and 'rom' which is why I haven't given it slightly more stars. However, that would probably attract some people, particularly men. I thought Rachel McAdams was really good in her role and I especially loved the role which Harrison Ford played as he created the most laughs and it was completely different to his other roles. There are many moments in the film where I couldn't stop laughing which is why I have given it a high rating because recently I haven't felt many films have been able to humour me as much as they should.

THE DILEMMA
27th Jan 2010 (12A)

Director: Ron Howard
Verdict: I would say quite honestly that I probably only went to see this film because there wasn't much else on! I really wouldn't recommend this film because it did not make me laugh more than a few times and I didn't really see the point of the whole story. It seems like it's building up to this really big thing when it doesn't really come to much (in my opinion). I have completely confirmed my true dislike for Vince Vaughn as I don't think I've ever seen him play a serious role (but maybe he has). Overall pretty rubbish!

ABOUT TIME...

I thought it was finally about time I caught up on my reviews. Having been very busy for the past couple of weeks I haven’t been too well at maintaining my blog but I have finally found the time to write my latest reviews.

                                                                                                           

Faye

GULLIVER’S TRAVEL

26^th Dec 2010 

Director: Rob Letterman

Verdict: I was quite looking forward to this film as I had seen a lot of press about it and with an all star British cast, other than Jack Black, I was pretty interested. Although the film was a bit of fun and shouldn’t be analysed too much I was slightly disappointed as the film seemed to have just placed all the clips from the trailers together. I wouldn’t say I would rush to see it again and wouldn’t particularly recommend it but it was a bit of Christmas fun and it was OK.

LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS

(Forgotten Date) (15) 

Director: Edward Zwick

Verdict: After seeing the trailer, I thought it looked pretty good but also quite depressing as the main female character played by Anne Hathaway suffered with Parkinsons Disease. I was so impressed by her performance as I haven’t seen her play a truly believable role before and she had to face a very real situation. The character she played was very different to anything she has played before and I was really taken by the emotion she portrayed. Jack Gyllenhaal’s character was slightly annoying but again very emotional. Overall I thought the film was good and I would recommend this film, mainly to girls but guys wouldn’t mind it either as Anne Hathway takes her clothes off…rather a lot.

THE WAY BACK

(Forgotten Date) (12A) 

Director: Peter Weir

Verdict: I was unsure about how many stars to give this film because it was very slow in parts as it follows a group of men escaping a concentration camp. I nearly gave it four stars  because the performances from the actors were truly believable and captivating; it was quite emotional as I seemed to go through the different emotions with the characters. However I realised that I haven't thought much about the film since, which leads me to think that it's not necessarily a film to remember. I would not recommend this film to action lovers as it certainly wasn’t action filled. It reminded me slightly of ‘Cast Away’ in the respect that not much happened but it seemed like a lot!

THE NEXT THREE DAYS

4^th Jan 2010 (12A) 

Director: Paul Haggis

Verdict: I wasn't too sure about seeing this film because i'm not the biggest fan of Russell Crowe but I came out of the cinema feeling pretty happy about what I had watched. I felt it had just the right amount of tension and I loved the way that the main character was just a normal man, trying to save his wife who he adored. Although some might say that it wasn't realistic at all, who cares? It's a film and film is meant to entertain and this film certainly does that. I really believed in the protagonist's relationship with his wife, played by Elizabeth Banks, who also impressed me. Overall, not a completely original and unique film but it does what it's suppose to.

127 HOURS

8^th Jan 2010 (15) 

Director: Danny Boyle

Verdict: I was particularly looking forward to this film because I loved Boyle’s previous film, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, which I felt was so well made for its budget. After hearing about ‘127 Hours’ and knowing at some point in the film I would have to watch the guy cut off his own arm, I was slightly worried but I still wanted to see it. When the film started, I knew it was going to be good, with Boyle’s interesting camera editing and very effective soundtrack and I wasn’t disappointed. The whole film kept me engaged and wanting to watch more, with its tense moments coupled with some comical lines. James Franco has played a variety of roles in the past and I felt this film really showed his true acting ability as I really felt for his character. The film starts at a very fast pace and suddenly changes when he gets stuck. I would truly recommend this film as I loved it, although if you don’t like blood, then you might want to think twice, or look away!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I’m going to be totally honest when I say that I am writing these with a lack of enthusiasm as one has been a long time coming but I will struggle to find time over the next few days (obviously).

Faye

3D TRON LEGACY

17^th Dec 2010 (PG)

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Verdict: I have to admit that I have not seen the original so I feel as though I have missed out on excitement of this latest release. When it was apparent, I thought the 3D was very effective and Daft Punk’s soundtrack was amazing and very fitting. I’m slightly ashamed to say that I was slightly bored in some parts of the film as I felt that there was a lack of interesting and engaging dialogue. I can imagine lovers of the original and people that focus on effects would love this film but for me it was an average film.

MEET THE PARENTS: LITTLE FOCKERS

23^rd Dec 2010 (12A)

Director: Paul Weitz

Verdict: I went along to see this film hoping for a funny, light hearted Christmas film and that’s what I got! I have watched the previous films and found them funny but slightly irritating, however I thought the latest trailer really enticed me. I am pleased to say that this had its laughs, cute kids and family fun and I really enjoyed it! There’s not much else I can say about this film so I recommend this film if you are looking for a bit of Christmas fun!

A POOR TIME FOR FILM

MONSTERS

4^th Dec 2010 (12A)

Director: Gareth Edwards

Verdict: I’m going to be totally honest and say that I really wasn’t looking forward to going to see this because it looked like another War of the Worlds. In some ways, it was very similar. I thought the monsters themselves looked more like giant octopuses but after reading more about the film I discovered that the film had a budget of about $200,000. Taking this into account, it is a pretty amazing film. At first, the actors seem pretty poor but they really improve and the effects were incredible considering the budget. A must see with the above in mind!

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER 3D

9^th Dec 2010 (PG)

Director: Michael Apted

Verdict: After enjoying the first two, I did think this would be pretty good. I was quite disappointed. After seeing the trailer I thought the effects would be really good, even if the story wasn’t. I couldn’t have been more wrong as I truly believe they shouldn’t have made the film 3D because the picture was often blurry at the edges. I felt quite embarrassed at times because the actors who played Lucy and Edmund weren’t quite up to scratch. I was, however, really impressed by the actor, Will Poulter who is a key member of the E4 show, School of Comedy. Overall I found this film quite lame, but perhaps that’s because, unlike ‘Harry Potter’, it struggled to grow up with its audience.

THE TOURIST

17^th Dec 2010 (12A)

Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

Verdict: Although the film offers two great Hollywood stars, Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie, even sitting through the trailer I thought it looked pretty mediocre. I wasn’t wrong to be honest. The story line wasn’t too bad and I admit that there was an interesting twist, although I had guessed before hand, but I felt the film struggled to understand its own genre. It felt similar to ‘Johnny English’ as some scenes attempted to be funny, however, it wasn’t intended to be humorous throughout which is why I was baffled. At times, my boyfriend and I saw camera men in shots and we laughed when the two main characters were on a boat because it was so obviously a blue screen. I wasn’t particularly surprised to hear that Jolie had accepted the film role before reading the script. Overall an average film but I can’t be more confused as to why Depp and Jolie accepted these roles.

SHORT AND SWEET

After writing these reviews, I have realised that they are very short but then what's the point in me ramling on? Overall I found this week a pretty good week for the cinema industry!

Faye

UNSTOPPABLE

23^rd Nov 2010 (12A)

Director: Tony Scott

Verdict: I have to admit that when I first saw the trailer for this film, I laughed because I couldn’t believe that it was possible to make a thriller about a train. But they did and they managed it pretty well. For the entertainment it would be about five stars but I wouldn’t say Chris Pine delivered his best performance and looking at the film realistically, it’s ridiculous! For entertainment I give it a worthy rating!

THE AMERICAN

26^th Nov 2010 (15)

Director: Anton Corbijn

Verdict: I wasn’t too keen on going to see this but it just sort of happened! If you are looking for your usual George Clooney action film then this isn’t it. At first I found it rather slow and throughout the film I felt like I was always waiting for something to happen. But upon reflection, I feel like this is purposely constructed by the director, and to be honest, it did keep me interested. If you are looking for a film with a topless lady throughout the film then this is the film for you! It does slightly irritate me in films when there isn’t much of a soundtrack and I did find with this film that I struggled to eat my sweets in the cinema because there were so many silences! Overall I thought the film was pretty effective but I’m not sure I would rush to see it again.

MEGAMIND

27^th Nov 2010 (PG)

Director: Tom McGrath

Verdict: I thought this looked OK but I wasn’t too fussed about rushing to see it. I am so glad I did as I thought it was brilliant! If you are looking for a funny, 3D animation with excellent effects then you should definitely go and see this film. I was so impressed by how much detail was in the animation and I thought all the voices suited the characters very well. It kept me happy and alert the whole way through with its suitable soundtrack and effective 3D and I loved the storyline. I definitely recommend!