These little beauts are from HP on Friday and Horrible Bosses last night...
There are, however, some questionable rotters in the mix...
Johnny English Reborn
Really?
Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows
Got to see the first one before this comes out. Still can't stand the fact that there's a plethora of talented British actors that could have played this role and they give it to Robert Downey Jr.
The Dark Knight Rises
Tom Hardy as Bane, Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Joseph Gordon-Levitt...eeeee I'm so excited...
Apollo 18
Concept extremely interesting, I hope it's pulled off...
Friends with Benefits
Justin Timberlake didn't sway me with his performance in Bad Teacher, hopefully he is more convincing here. Unfortunately from the look of the trailer, hottie of the year Mila Kunis seems to be acting the pants off him in more sense than one...
Final Destination 5
How do they not see that they have exhausted this idea yet?
The Devil's Double
This may well be Dominic Cooper's time to shine. IMDB describes this film as 'A chilling vision of the House of Saddam Hussein comes to life through the eyes of the man who was forced to become the double of Hussein's sadistic son.' One to look out for...
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 22/07/11
Before I start, I'd just like to thank J.K. Rowling for bringing Rupert Grint into my life.
Splitting the final book in to two films has been the best decision of the past 10 years for the franchise. It allowed for more focused detail across both films that I feel may have been missed had it all been squeezed into one. Having said this I was left lacking a bit with some moments involving important characters. In the book, Fred dying was the biggest upset for me and it was only touched on. This is me being extremely selfish and pernickety but I still would have liked a little more sentiment there.
I feel like this is the first time in the history of the films that it almost lived up to the book. I found myself being taken back to reading The Deathly Hallows and the imagery played a big part in this. In large part, the films haven't matched up to the version my imagination created when reading the books. The Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2 however have almost hit the nail on the head in this department, in particular, the scene in which Harry accepts his fate and is to meet Lord Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest. When Harry finds the resurrection stone which brings back his mother and father, Remus Lupin and Professor Snape I found that it was an almost perfect image of the one in my imagination. From a purely self indulgent perspective, this felt like a fitting and sentimental ending to the ten years.
When you look back over the films and think of the calibre of actors that have bought to life the characters from page to screen, it makes you feel quite privileged to be part of the generation that got to experience it all first hand. From Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, to Kenneth Branagh, Maggie Smith, Jim Broadbent, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Gary Oldman, Julie Walters, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Timothy Spall, Imelda Staunton, Bill Nighy, Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths.... and that's just scratching the surface!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 is by far and wide the best film of the Harry Potter series and an almost perfect send off. I'm happy that that David Yates chose to trust the fact that fans know the story and didn't regurgitate unneccessary information. The satisfying element for me is that this was in keeping with the novel and this allowed for an ending that was worthy of years of hard work. I whipped out the Kleenex and the Sky Superscreen Balcony at the O2 guided me towards the culmination of a childhood.
Splitting the final book in to two films has been the best decision of the past 10 years for the franchise. It allowed for more focused detail across both films that I feel may have been missed had it all been squeezed into one. Having said this I was left lacking a bit with some moments involving important characters. In the book, Fred dying was the biggest upset for me and it was only touched on. This is me being extremely selfish and pernickety but I still would have liked a little more sentiment there.
I feel like this is the first time in the history of the films that it almost lived up to the book. I found myself being taken back to reading The Deathly Hallows and the imagery played a big part in this. In large part, the films haven't matched up to the version my imagination created when reading the books. The Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2 however have almost hit the nail on the head in this department, in particular, the scene in which Harry accepts his fate and is to meet Lord Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest. When Harry finds the resurrection stone which brings back his mother and father, Remus Lupin and Professor Snape I found that it was an almost perfect image of the one in my imagination. From a purely self indulgent perspective, this felt like a fitting and sentimental ending to the ten years.
When you look back over the films and think of the calibre of actors that have bought to life the characters from page to screen, it makes you feel quite privileged to be part of the generation that got to experience it all first hand. From Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, to Kenneth Branagh, Maggie Smith, Jim Broadbent, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Gary Oldman, Julie Walters, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Timothy Spall, Imelda Staunton, Bill Nighy, Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths.... and that's just scratching the surface!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 is by far and wide the best film of the Harry Potter series and an almost perfect send off. I'm happy that that David Yates chose to trust the fact that fans know the story and didn't regurgitate unneccessary information. The satisfying element for me is that this was in keeping with the novel and this allowed for an ending that was worthy of years of hard work. I whipped out the Kleenex and the Sky Superscreen Balcony at the O2 guided me towards the culmination of a childhood.
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
The Tree Of Life 20/07/11
The Tree of Life follows middle aged man Jack (Sean Penn) looking back at his 1950's childhood in Texas. The narrative seems to centre around Jack's complicated relationship with his father (the incredible Brad Pitt), the loss of innocence in adolescence and the death of Jack's younger brother. This, therefore, sees adult Jack searching for answers regarding the meaning of life and questioning his wavering faith.
Through a lengthy series of images of the creation of earth, beautiful shots of natures wonders and, interestingly dinosaurs' existence and extinction bought to them by an asteroid striking earth, we see the contemplative thought processes Jack goes through about the inception and ultimately, the meaning, of life.
Although the fragmented narrative sometimes became confusing, I found it enjoyable because I was on the edge of my seat and thinking on my feet to keep up with the story.
Opening with the quotation "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation...while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" from the Book of Job, this sets the tone for the contemplative and religious nature of the film.
In the opening scenes we see Jack's mother (Jessica Chastain) recieve a telegram and fall to the ground clearly heartbroken, this scene then cuts to his father recieving a phone call which leaves him distraught.
Although the film isn't all about the acting, Pitt is exquisite as Mr O'Brien, a father struggling to find the balance between showing discipline and affection. In every scene he portrays perfectly the emotion required for each scenario and as the audience, you feel his agony. Chastain plays the loving, childlike and playful mother to her three boys extremely convincingly. We see this most prominently when Mr O'Brien leaves the family for a while to attempt to promote and sell his inventions. She is left with the boys and her loving and lenient ways are exposed. Jack becomes rebellious and violent away from his father's strictly watchful eye.
If you are not in the mood to concentrate and you want to see a film that you can let wash over you, this is not the one. It takes concentration and patience to piece together how you interpret the non-linear narrative. This is one of the most thought provoking, visually beautiful and awe inspiring films I have seen in recent times. But if you are easily frustrated by fragmented chrolnology then do yourself a favour and don't watch!
Through a lengthy series of images of the creation of earth, beautiful shots of natures wonders and, interestingly dinosaurs' existence and extinction bought to them by an asteroid striking earth, we see the contemplative thought processes Jack goes through about the inception and ultimately, the meaning, of life.
Although the fragmented narrative sometimes became confusing, I found it enjoyable because I was on the edge of my seat and thinking on my feet to keep up with the story.
Opening with the quotation "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation...while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" from the Book of Job, this sets the tone for the contemplative and religious nature of the film.
In the opening scenes we see Jack's mother (Jessica Chastain) recieve a telegram and fall to the ground clearly heartbroken, this scene then cuts to his father recieving a phone call which leaves him distraught.
Although the film isn't all about the acting, Pitt is exquisite as Mr O'Brien, a father struggling to find the balance between showing discipline and affection. In every scene he portrays perfectly the emotion required for each scenario and as the audience, you feel his agony. Chastain plays the loving, childlike and playful mother to her three boys extremely convincingly. We see this most prominently when Mr O'Brien leaves the family for a while to attempt to promote and sell his inventions. She is left with the boys and her loving and lenient ways are exposed. Jack becomes rebellious and violent away from his father's strictly watchful eye.
If you are not in the mood to concentrate and you want to see a film that you can let wash over you, this is not the one. It takes concentration and patience to piece together how you interpret the non-linear narrative. This is one of the most thought provoking, visually beautiful and awe inspiring films I have seen in recent times. But if you are easily frustrated by fragmented chrolnology then do yourself a favour and don't watch!
Thursday, 21 July 2011
P.s.
My mother came to the cinema with me for the first time in years to watch Bridesmaids on Monday... I think the last time was American Pie in 1999 (we were originally seeing Pocahontas on cinema re-release but I changed my mind!)
We love a crude one every decade or so.
When she read my review of Bridesmaids she was disappointed she didn't get a mention...
So there you go JoJo!! :)
We love a crude one every decade or so.
When she read my review of Bridesmaids she was disappointed she didn't get a mention...
So there you go JoJo!! :)
Trailer Trash!
Got a few crackers for you this time! Today's trailers are from Bridesmaids on the 18th and The Tree of Life from the 20th...
The Inbetweeners Movie
The lads hit Crete...
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
Dragging it out...
One Day
Starring Jim Sturgess and Anne Hathaway. The book is beautiful, lets hope and pray the film can do it justice...
The Skin I Live In
The weirdest trailer I've seen in a long long time. IMDB describes this to be about 'a brilliant plastic surgeon, haunted by past tragedies'. Will definitely be watching. Starring Antonio Banderas.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, John Hurt, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch... need any more reasons?!
The Inbetweeners Movie
The lads hit Crete...
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
Dragging it out...
One Day
Starring Jim Sturgess and Anne Hathaway. The book is beautiful, lets hope and pray the film can do it justice...
The Skin I Live In
The weirdest trailer I've seen in a long long time. IMDB describes this to be about 'a brilliant plastic surgeon, haunted by past tragedies'. Will definitely be watching. Starring Antonio Banderas.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, John Hurt, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch... need any more reasons?!
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Shameful Behaviour...
Here are the top 10 films I am FULLY ashamed I have never seen...
I feel like admitting this publically will result in me watching all 10.
This is number one because it's clearly the most shameful - I feel I need say no more.
2. The Color Purple
...and I've not read the book. Squirm.
3. Taxi Driver
Vintage DeNiro - I'm starting to hate myself.
4. The Graduate
Now this one's only partly true. I've seen almost all of it. But, to me, that doesn't count.
5. Some Like It Hot
Monroe, Lemmon and Curtis? Ground swallow me whole.
6. Citizen Kane
I know, I know.
7. Casablanca
Bogart and Bergman... Sigh. *Hangs Head*
8. The Red Shoes
Beautiful story. Two more to go and the shame is mounting.
9. Guys and Dolls
Another Brando :(
10. Requiem for a Dream
The most modern of the bunch. Still unforgivable.
Must try harder.
Embarrassing secret revealed - will update when I have repented my sins!
I feel like admitting this publically will result in me watching all 10.
- Apocalypse Now
This is number one because it's clearly the most shameful - I feel I need say no more.
2. The Color Purple
...and I've not read the book. Squirm.
3. Taxi Driver
Vintage DeNiro - I'm starting to hate myself.
4. The Graduate
Now this one's only partly true. I've seen almost all of it. But, to me, that doesn't count.
5. Some Like It Hot
Monroe, Lemmon and Curtis? Ground swallow me whole.
6. Citizen Kane
I know, I know.
7. Casablanca
Bogart and Bergman... Sigh. *Hangs Head*
8. The Red Shoes
Beautiful story. Two more to go and the shame is mounting.
9. Guys and Dolls
Another Brando :(
10. Requiem for a Dream
The most modern of the bunch. Still unforgivable.
Must try harder.
Embarrassing secret revealed - will update when I have repented my sins!
Bridesmaids 18/07/11
I am currently eating my words. Women ARE funny and comedy films with women as leads CAN be funny...
In this instance anyway.
Kristen Wiig is co-writer, main character and complete genius, which begs the question - why has she never been the lead before?!
This brand of comedy film is pretty rare. It obviously smacks of 'The Hangover' but only in general context and one character similarity. Other than this, there isn't any film you can really pin down to compare Bridesmaids with. With it's uniquness it brings freshness and opens the door for more female comedians to be as original as Wiig and co.
All of the characters feel very true to life - women with failing careers, failing sex lives, the seemingly perfect woman who has insecurities that she will not show etc. This film brings with it relatable and hilarious characters.
With Judd Apatow as a producer, this could have been made far too 'laddy' and they could have really missed the mark. But the gross out comedy hasn't apologised for itself and that is something that helps it avoid being boxed and really makes it punch.
I think the exact reason Bridesmades works is because it's unusual; it crosses genres and has a perfect balance of very bad taste, good humour, romance and sensitivity.
Despite occassional pacing issues Bridesmids is a kick arse triumph.
In this instance anyway.
Kristen Wiig is co-writer, main character and complete genius, which begs the question - why has she never been the lead before?!
This brand of comedy film is pretty rare. It obviously smacks of 'The Hangover' but only in general context and one character similarity. Other than this, there isn't any film you can really pin down to compare Bridesmaids with. With it's uniquness it brings freshness and opens the door for more female comedians to be as original as Wiig and co.
With Judd Apatow as a producer, this could have been made far too 'laddy' and they could have really missed the mark. But the gross out comedy hasn't apologised for itself and that is something that helps it avoid being boxed and really makes it punch.
I think the exact reason Bridesmades works is because it's unusual; it crosses genres and has a perfect balance of very bad taste, good humour, romance and sensitivity.
Despite occassional pacing issues Bridesmids is a kick arse triumph.
Friday, 15 July 2011
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Released today!!!
Beyond excited...although I won't get to see it until next Wednesday!
End of an era and all that...
Beyond excited...although I won't get to see it until next Wednesday!
End of an era and all that...
The Conspirator 13/07/11
With a compelling cast, Robert Redford's slow yet fascinating factual courtroom drama had me gripped from beginning to end.
To start off, the completely captivating performances of Robin Wright and James McAvoy have to be mentioned. Wright as Mary Surratt is exquisite in portraying an unswerving, loving mother to her children and devoted Catholic accussed of conspiring to kill the president Abraham Lincoln, the Secretary of State and the Vice President. Surratt owns a boarding house where those thought to be responsible for Lincoln's murder frequently resided. McAvoy is, as always, completely engaging and rich as Frederik Aiken, a young war hero and lawyer who must reluctantly defend Surratt's case. Surratt is fiercely loyal to her son and will not inform the authorities of his whereabouts (he is among the men that are thought to be involved with the assassination) and through this stubborness, Aiken continues to doubt her innocence, in fact he is certain she is guilty. Though we don't see a great deal of the pair alone together, talking through the events that lead to Lincoln's death, it is through subtle suggestion in the courtroom and Aiken's behaviour and dedication to the case that we see his belief in her and their relationship grow.
The American government are looking to seek revenge for Lincoln's assassination and to show the American citizens they have swiflty dealt with, and given the death penalty to those responsible. Through this, they have made the case as difficult as possible for Aiken to win by conducting the trial in a military court, bribing witnesses and changing rules. Aiken is driven by his need for this trial to be a fair one.
Other performances worth mentioning are those of Kevin Kline as the secretary of war Edward Stanton, Evan Rachel Wood as Surratt's daughter Anna and Danny Huston as the prosecuting attorney Joseph Holt.
The Conspirator may be lengthy and, at times, slow but the performances on display make it a film certainly worth watching. McAvoy as a young man trying to overcome and look beyond his own pre-formed predjudices and Wright as a stoic, loyal mother are both perfect examples of the way great acting should be.
To start off, the completely captivating performances of Robin Wright and James McAvoy have to be mentioned. Wright as Mary Surratt is exquisite in portraying an unswerving, loving mother to her children and devoted Catholic accussed of conspiring to kill the president Abraham Lincoln, the Secretary of State and the Vice President. Surratt owns a boarding house where those thought to be responsible for Lincoln's murder frequently resided. McAvoy is, as always, completely engaging and rich as Frederik Aiken, a young war hero and lawyer who must reluctantly defend Surratt's case. Surratt is fiercely loyal to her son and will not inform the authorities of his whereabouts (he is among the men that are thought to be involved with the assassination) and through this stubborness, Aiken continues to doubt her innocence, in fact he is certain she is guilty. Though we don't see a great deal of the pair alone together, talking through the events that lead to Lincoln's death, it is through subtle suggestion in the courtroom and Aiken's behaviour and dedication to the case that we see his belief in her and their relationship grow.
The American government are looking to seek revenge for Lincoln's assassination and to show the American citizens they have swiflty dealt with, and given the death penalty to those responsible. Through this, they have made the case as difficult as possible for Aiken to win by conducting the trial in a military court, bribing witnesses and changing rules. Aiken is driven by his need for this trial to be a fair one.
Other performances worth mentioning are those of Kevin Kline as the secretary of war Edward Stanton, Evan Rachel Wood as Surratt's daughter Anna and Danny Huston as the prosecuting attorney Joseph Holt.
The Conspirator may be lengthy and, at times, slow but the performances on display make it a film certainly worth watching. McAvoy as a young man trying to overcome and look beyond his own pre-formed predjudices and Wright as a stoic, loyal mother are both perfect examples of the way great acting should be.
Monday, 4 July 2011
July Releases...
Post awards season it's been a bit slow going on the film front but it feels like it's really starting to pick up again.
June was the beginning of this with X-Men, Bad Teacher, Transformers and the ones I've yet to see - Green Lantern and Bridesmaids.
July holds some more amazing views. On the top of my list to see this month are...
A whole bunch of beauts there to get cracking with!
June was the beginning of this with X-Men, Bad Teacher, Transformers and the ones I've yet to see - Green Lantern and Bridesmaids.
July holds some more amazing views. On the top of my list to see this month are...
- The Conspirator (Directed by Robert Redford, starring James McAvoy)
- The Tree of Life (Starring Sean Penn, Brad Pitt & Fiona Shaw)
- Super (Comedy starring Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler & Kevin Bacon)
- Captain America: The First Avenger (Another Marvel adaptation starring Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Stanley Tucci & Tommy Lee Jones)
- Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (The last installment and a huge weep fest)
- Horrible Bosses (Comedy starring Jason Bateman, Kevin Spacey, Jason Sudeikis, Colin Farrell, Jennifer Anniston, Jamie Foxx & Donald Sutherland)
- Trust (Directed by David Schwimmer, starring Clive Owen, Catherine Keener & Liana Liberato)
A whole bunch of beauts there to get cracking with!
Film Releases - June 2011
- 29th June - Transformers: Dark of the Moon
- 24th June - World of the Dead: The Zombie Diaries
- 24th June - The First Grader
- 24th June - No Ordinary Trifle
- 24th June - Ghosted
- 24th June - Cutter's Way
- 24th June - Bridesmaids
- 24th June - Akira
- 22nd June - Melancholia
- 17th June - The Messenger
- 17th June - The Beaver
- 17th June - Swinging with the Finkels
- 17th June - Stake Land
- 17th June - Soul Surfer
- 17th June - Putty Hill
- 17th June - Life in a Day
- 17th June - Green Lantern
- 17th June - Bad Teacher
- 15th June - Stormhouse
- 14th June - Got to Run
- 10th June - Mother's Day
- 10th June - Mega Shark Vs Crocasaurus
- 10th June - Kung Fu Panda 2
- 10th June - Kaboom
- 10th June - Jumping the Broom
- 10th June - Honey 2
- 10th June - Gridlock
- 9th June - Rise of the Damned
- 8th June - The Castle
- 6th June - The Point of Regret
- 3rd June - The Mirror Boy
- 3rd June - Screwed
- 3rd June - Prom
- 3rd June - Last Night
- 3rd June - JLS: Eyes Wide Open
- 1st June - X-Men: First Class
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