Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Now this was a film that I would watch again and again, it was both moving and in a sort of strange way - thought provoking. The performances from the all star brilliant cast really do the storyline justice and provide characters that you can sympathise and connect with throughout the film. Although it is mostly a romantic drama it has so many comedic moments to keep what could be a dark film very light hearted.

Silver Linings Playbook is about a man named Pat who has just been released from a mental institute after being admitted there for beating a man to near death after finding the man having sex with his wife in their shower whist their wedding song was playing and is also diagnosed as being bipolar. The song is a trigger of Pat's that sets him off every time he hears it. After leaving he moves back in with his parents Pat Senior and Dolores, and makes numeral attempts to get back in touch with his wife who left him. Pat believes he can live off positivity and looking for silver linings rather than taking his medication and a few events take place that shows he needs the help of his therapist and medication after all.  But as he adjusts back into reality and what could be considered as 'normal' life, he comes across Tiffany who is a very troubled women herself, with her own issues sparked from the death of her husband. Pat and Tiffany click almost instantly, their eccentric platonic relationship concerns both their family members but by being in each others company they find themselves being more emotionally stable and healed. Pat takes part in Tiffany's dance competition in return for her passing on letters to his wife which he cannot do due to a restraining order he has. As they practice sparks fly, and they fall for each other. Pat doesn't comprehend that Tiffany has feelings for him and Tiffany doesn't realise Pat returns the feelings she has for him. *Somebody tell help them out here* After the dance competition they finally become a couple with the acceptance of both families. The silver lining in Pat's life being Tiffany.

The actors really bring the characters to life and do the script justice as you believe ever word spoken, the cast include Bradley Cooper as Pat, Jennifer Lawrence as Tiffany, Robert De Niro as Pat Senior, Chris Tucker as Danny, Julia Stiles as Veronica and Jacki Weaver as Dolores. This is just a small handful of the talent shown! The standout performance having to be from Bradley Cooper that truly crafts Pat in the best way possible by making him appear crazy but stable, eccentric and troubled, happy but sad. The development of Pat finding himself as well as the development of his relationship with the other characters such as his father who longs for a father son bond, Danny his friend from the institute who is constantly escaping and of course Tiffany who is more or less the female version of him. A beautiful film is created through the simplicity of life, no action is needed as the film is more an expression of people and their own lives with the adversities they face.

I really cannot recommend watching Silver Linings Playbook enough, it deserves to be recognised for both the narrative and performances, the editing and sound, the mise en scene and directing, the screenwriting and overall production.

Pitch Perfect (2012)

Pitch Perfect is one of them throughly entertaining films that keeps the humour going throughout, which is a hard thing to do. The cast were all perfect for the roles that they played and you found you could relate to at least one of the characters in some sort of way which made it even more fun viewing. Although the film focuses around the main girl Beca played by rising star Anna Kendrick who plays the typical rebellious girl who has aspirations and feels like she needs no one else to help her, joins Barden college where she is sort of roped and blackmailed into joining the female a cappella group called the Barden Bellas who turn out to be a strange bunch of misfits that fit perfectly together. The best laugh out loud moments probably being provided by Fat Amy played by the funny Rebel Wilson and Lilly played by Hana Mae Lee who at one point silently declares 'I ate my twin in the womb' and its one of them points that if you catch what she's said you'll laugh but if you miss it her comedic moments can be overlooked.

The Barden Bellas compete with other a cappella groups in order to try and win at the finals, with Beca helping to find a new way to represent the group and how to show off their voices along with the teamwork that falters at one point they manage to finally achieve winning in the final. Alongside this is a romance between Beca and Jesse as he teaches her to open up and shows he cares for her, but with him in the rival group this causes trouble and friction between the members of the group especially hot headed leader Aubrey who humiliates herself at the beginning of the film. Pitch Perfect is full of great songs that just make you want to sing along and join in, the best musical point I would say is the Riff Off where rivals gather and compete with songs about sex, his brings out the competition and wit in both the males and females. It is a formulaic film as you can pretty much guess where the story is going about twenty minutes in but you forgive that due to original and quick witted lines, the script for the film is stellar.

Verdict: If you like comedy this is a must see film packed full of laughter.

Ruby Sparks (2012)

Now this was what seemed like a promising film on the surface but was actually pretty flatline viewing.  
The film tells the story of a young man named Calvin who achieved fame through writing a successful novel at a young age  as he has got older he finds not only is he unsuccessful in love but has also formed the dreaded writers block. However when he starts dreaming about this imaginary girl then writing about her on his type writer, he is surprised to find her as an actual living person stood in his house the day after. Ruby Sparks lives! Much to the astonishment of Calvin and probably everyone viewing the film. He has created his dream girl that will love him no matter what he faults, or so he thought. After cracks begin to appear in their relationships, Calvin becomes a paranoid and creepy girl who finds he can control ruby and her moods through typing it on the page. An uncomfortable moment in the film appears when he attempts to seize control and show her how much power he has over her after they have a massive row, he begins by making her speak french, then having her snap her fingers, then strip her clothed and finally having her behave like a dog. The realisation and humiliation of this is very awkward viewing and probably the most provoking part in the movie.

Ruby eventually leaves Calvin, and he faces up to himself and his actions by letting Ruby forget her past with him and become a free person. The conclusion being that he publishes another novel on his heartbreak and he meets Ruby in the park but she has no memory of him, a relationship between the pair sparks up as they bond on a picnic blanket. The ending is carefully rounded off around the place it began with the couple. This is an unrealistic story as no body has the power to manifest a person, if we all did there would be trouble but the fantasy element works in this context to provide a sort of light hearted film that contains what could be said as a main character that comes across very unlikeable. You will certainly not finish viewing this film and have any thoughts provoked but it is an okay film that will satisfy any boredom.

Control (2007)

I've not blogged recently due to starting university but I am trying to start posting more. With taking a film degree, watching films is part of the territory and gives me ample opportunity to watch and review. Our first screening was of Control.

Control tells the story of the famous singer Ian Curtis from the band Joy Division and how his personal life collided with his career causing a great internal struggle that caused him to sadly commit suicide at the young age of 23. The film is black and white throughout but I think this adds to the atmosphere and emphasises how the troubled singer saw the world in black or white with no in-between which was part of the problem in his life. The lack of colour and joy causing what was portrayed as a deep depression with inner turmoil. The film begins showing Ian at a young age with his cool exterior which appears to slip when he falls in love with a girl called Debbie whom he then marries and has a child with. This appears to be a major regret in his life as we later see him progress from a  performing in a band called Warsaw that eventually became Joy Division that hit a big success after undergoing new management and getting signed. Although Debbie and Ian's lives appear to be following the steps of a regular relationship it is in fact going downhill as he is no longer in a happy marriage which is highlighted even further when he falls for a Belgium woman named Annik whom he met after one of his gigs. With an affair taking place he begins to spend less time at home and tries to avoid the responsibilities he created and has. Throughout the film parts of his life a highlighted which in turn creates quite poignant moments such as when Debbie finds out about Annik and begs him to stay with her anyway, when Ian has an epliectic fit on stage when performing and in the end his bid to stop all the confusion by committing suicide. The end providing a heartbreaking moment when we see a young man who has so much potential give up, and you can't help but feel that with more understanding and support it may not have came to that end result.

His struggles appeared to stem mostly from his conflicting feelings about Debbie and Annik, the amount of himself he put into each of his performances and that he had no medication that was fully effective for his condition. The film itself is an artistic piece and is not meant to be a documentary, it looks at some facts and dramatises them to create a moving image telling the story of a life that every person watching can sympathise with. The soundtrack of the film is mostly provided by Joy Division's songs, they fit in exactly in the right places to provide a level of drama and integrity to the life of Ian Curtis. With the lyrics reflecting the bleakness and truth of what they felt like 'Love will tear us apart'. Although the film focuses on certain points of Curtis's life such as the sadness and avoids showing the happy moments he had with the band this helps to build up the film to emphasise the lack of control he had in his life and the inevitable result of this.

Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

I may be biased in reviewing this movie because I've watched this film many times and it reminds me of when I was a little girl, sitting in the living room with my mum with this light hearted romantic comedy playing on the TV. So when I watch it again now it always brings back a fondness for the film as it is such a sweet story that provides a classic humour with a heart warming storyline.

Sweet Home Alabama is about a small town girl  Melanie who leaves her hometown Alabama to move to New York City where she plans on a bigger and better life which includes her becoming a fashion designer and marrying the mayor's son. After getting engaged to Andrew Hennings played by the dashing Patrick Dempsey, she realises she has things to sort out in the town she left behind and hasn't been back to in seven years like the divorce to her first (and only) childhood love Jake and seeing her parents once again. But when she returns, she reconnects with her past and finds she is at home there in Alabama. The film highlights the true meaning of community and friendship as the scenes when Melanie return are both welcoming and funny.

With her fiancee Andrew showing up whilst she is in the process of trying to get Jake to sign the divorcee papers, stuff gets more complicated and truths about her past life are revealed much to his surprise. With the wedding looking like it is going ahead after Jake signs the papers, everyone's futures look on track but when the big day comes it turns out Melanie is the one who has not signed the papers and cannot bring herself to do it as she realises she is still in love with Jake and always has been. With the wedding called off why waste a good reception! Melanie goes to find Jake who is out in a storm, and they kiss with the rain soaking them and him asking why he wants to mary her anyway? and her replying 'So I can kiss you anytime I want' mimicking the first scene of the film where they were children so that the words are echoed but in reverse. I hate to label a movie but this is a chick flick if there ever was one, with the romantic story of soul mates who found their way back to each other. Although it is a predictable ending, it is the ending we all want to see so you cannot complain.

Verdict - This film is far from the best romance story ever but it provides lovely tale that envelops you in the plot and makes you want to be a part of it.

Dorian Gray (2009)

 Dorian gray is a film adaption of a book so there are sure to be critics as soon as the film is shown but I have to agree with some of the negative comments made about the film. It begins with Gray played by Ben Barnes brutally murdering someone who is not yet revealed the tossing a trunk with blood leaking out into a river, this ellipsis of time scene is later shown to reveal who he has killed, why and how. The blood effect was badly done with it looking like the actor is being splashed with strawberry ribena so this representation could have been done better. We are then taken back into the past in order to inform us of Dorian's story and how he cam to be in the situation we saw him in right at the beginning of the film. With the setting being London in the 1930's we are treated to some nice establishing shots and beautiful scenery so that the mise en scene is truly invoking a sense of the past. Fades between shots I found were very effective and found to create a dreamy state. These were a few of the good points of the film.

 A dark atmosphere is created by building tension around what is in the attic and we are shown flashbacks of when Dorian was a child and how he was abused, I feel this was a way to make the character more appealing by making us sympathise with his past in order to forgive his actions in the present day but I found myself to feel he brought his fate upon himself with his own selfishness. Barnes  playing the main role may have been a bit of a ploy to draw in an audience as his handsome face is sure to capture your attention at certain points of the film and keep your interest for a while, I especially liked the close up shots of him intensely looking at the attic with worry.

 I feel that the plot was very slow developing and that in the beginning it is hard to figure out exactly where it is leading but once you figure out that Barnes is at first a pleasant gentlemen that has come to London then led astray by the conniving Lord Harry into the life of sin that London has to offer, at first he appears to worry for his soul but soon gives in to temptation. We find out that he makes a ambiguous deal with the devil to stay young and beautiful forever but he does not understand the full consequences of his agreement. We see the ugliness and evilness of his true soul that appears to lie beneath the innocent face through a painting that Basil painted of Dorian. The development of the painting is a creepy process that makes you look away at points as with see maggots moving around the face and sense the unnaturalness of the being through the low moaning sound that is a motif throughout.

A lot of things were so overdone that it made the film hard and tiresome to watch at points such as the over exaggeration of the corruption that Dorian Gray went through as the constant sex scene clips soon became dull and tedious. I almost screamed at the screen "I get it!" it is easy to understand he has given in to all that is seen as bad and dangerous so the point does not need rehashing over and over again. Along with this the film prolonged the suspense and intrigue to the point the it lost all suspense and intrigue because it became boring waiting for something to happen. It appears to turn full circle when we find ourselves back where we started with Dorian chucking the trunk with Basil's body into the river after brutally murdering him but the story does not end there. The plot thickens as Dorian falls in love with Harry's daughter and he suddenly wants to repent for his crimes in order to live a happy life with her but of course actions have consequences. The painting secretly hidden in the attic was bound to be revealed at some time and typically it is revealed at the point in his life where he finds somebody he cares about. Harry and Dorian have a showdown in the attic with Harry coming out on top as he sets fire to the hideous painting and looks Dorian in the attic with it. The sad moment being when his true love shows up attempting to save him but he doesn't want to escape he declares his love then goes back to the attic to help destroying himself. The film ends on a poignant note with Harry having the old painting of Dorian when he first arrived in London, we see what he was and what he could have been.

I would have to admit that it was merely Ben Barnes and Colin Firth's performances that kept the film alive and moving for me. Lord Harry Wotton was my favourite character as he was complex and somebody that you love to hate, he was everything what was wrong but stood for things that were also right. Although he was calculating and devious he was very upfront about the way he was with people and did not pretend to be something he wasn't.

Verdict: A film easily lost amongst others.

Film Quotes of the Week

The only way to get rid of temptation, is to yield to it. - Lord Henry Wotton in Dorian Gray

You are more beautiful than Cinderella! You smell like pine needles, and have a face like sunshine! -Becca in Bridesmaids

Nobody puts Baby in a corner. - Johnny in Dirty Dancing

Whatever happened to chivalry? Does it only exist in 80's movies? I want John Cusack holding a boombox outside my wndow. I wanna ride off on a lawnmower with Patrick Dempsey. I want Jake from Sixteen Candles waiting outside the church for me. I want Judd Nelson thrusting his fist into the air because he knows he got me. Just once I want my life to be like an 80's movie, preferably one with a really awesome musical number for no apparent reason. But no, no, John Hughes did not direct my life. - Olive Penderghast in Easy A

So now, all alone or not, you gotta walk ahead. Thing to remember is if we're all alone, then we're all together in that too. - Patricia in PS I Love You

Grease (1978)

Grease was recently shown on TV and I couldn't switch over the channel as I knew it would lighten my mood and while I was at it, I thought 'what the heck, may as well blog about it'. The famous musical tells the story of a high school romance between Sandy and Danny along with all their pals in a coming of age tale. Admittedly the dialogue is cheesy and the acting can sometimes make you snigger but this film is almost faultless in likability. Danny Zuko and Sandy first meet during their summer break n which they fall in 'love' but with her having to leave to go back home to Australia you could start thinking 'Oh well thats the end of that' but no, coincidently Sandy ends up transferring to Danny's school - Rydell High School. This is when the viewers get introduced to two of the cliques within the school which consist of the Pink Ladies and the T Birds making us girls wanting to don our own pink jacket and guys trying to rock the leather jacket.

Sandy joins the Pink Ladies consisting of Rizzo, Jan, Frenchy and Marty after befriending Frenchy, the aspiring beautician and she begins to tell them about her summer with the hit tune 'Summer Nights' with parallel editing we see Danny Zuko also telling the T Birds consisting of Kenickie, Sonny, Doody and Putzie about what happened on the beach. Humourously their stories differ with her telling a romantic version and him telling the typical lads story to try and earn some respect from his pals, and to add to the laughs neither one knows that the other is at the school. Soon the Pink Ladies find out about Sandy's mystery guy being Danny Zuko and decide to reunite them at a school football match much to Sandy's disappointment when she see's him acting up in order to maintain the image he's built. Then comes the longing look from Danny as Sandy storms off in a rage.

Rather than go on about everything that happens in detail, I'll do a quick synopsis - Pink Ladies have a sleepover, T Birds show up, Rizzo and Kenickie get it on in the back of his car (height of classiness), Leader of the Scorpians (hated by the T Birds) turns up and bumps into Kenickie's car. The T Birds repair the car and while imagining the outcome they begin singing 'Grease Lightning', the whole gang are at Frosty Palace and Danny tries to apologise to Sandy then decides to join the Jocks in order to win her affections and try to impress her. Danny and Sandy get back together and are intruded upon on their date by the rest and danny struggles to maintain his bravado in front of his friends. Danny takes Sandy to the dance and manages to upset her once again by dancing with Cha Cha, making us think either he is very insensitive or she is oversensitive. To make matters worse his next romantic endevour also goes wrong at the drive in, he goes to give her his ring but ends up elbowing her in the chest then sniggers, after becoming overcome with lust he tries it on but prim and proper Sandy is having none of that behaviour.  Rizzo thinks she is pregnant and news of this soon spreads.

Now for the action that each viewer was probably hoping for, with a race between the T birds versus the Scorpians, Danny manages to win with a little help from the car grease lightning. As Sandy watches on she decides it is about time she does some of the running for Danny and asks Frenchy for help. The school carnival begins and Sandy turns up wearing a lather jacket, skin tight pants, red high heel sandals and smoking a cigarette causing the men to drool over her and a new image revamp. Danny is utterly shocked and any viewers watching will not be able to not divulge in that moment when his mouth drops open in utter amazement. Danny and Sandy reconnect their romance singing the catchy song 'Your the One That I Want' that recharges the atmosphere of the film entirely, with the gang all coming back together for one last sing song of 'We Go Together' then Danny and Sandy flying off in his car into the sky highly unrealistic but a perfect ending to this musical. The chemistry between the cast really sets the film off making it appeal to everyone and also become relatable to viewers, so if you don't mind a old classic musical that contains overly acted roles that just make you smile then give this film a watch if you haven't already!

This old time classic is sure to get you singing along to whichever song that is thrown your way. The songs include - Grease, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted to You, Sandy, Beauty School Drop Out,  Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee, Grease Lightning, Blue Moon, There Are Worse Things I Could Do, We go Together, Your the One That I Want.

Verdict- A cheesy movie that you cannot help but love. You'll finish the film wanting to attend Rydell High School.

Trailer Alert

At the cinemas today I saw the trailer for 'How I Live Now' and I cannot wait to see it. I really believe this is a film to look out for this October, so keep your eyes peeled for marketing of this film and get down to see it when it is released then let me know your thoughts.

How I Live Now is a novel by Meg Rosoff and if that is not enough to tempt you the the lead character Daisy is being played by Saoirse Ronan the child star of the moving and emotional film 'The Lovely Bones' who has become a well known and powerful actress.

The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones (2013)

I went to see this at the cinemas tonight as The Mortal Instruments seems to be the new promising movie sequel, and at first I thought 'Here comes another twilight saga with the love triangle and monsters' but the film has many variations from the other typical story lines with added twists and turns that will ensure a few gasps from viewers. As I have read all The Mortal Instrument books by Cassandra Clare, I'll admit I was keen to see the film and see how it compared. And thought I may as well take my mum to see it for some family film bonding. After asking for my mum's opinion after we saw it, this is what she had to say - "Had a good storyline with a fantastic twist at the end. I especially liked the special effects when the rottweiler turned into a demon with the sound effects *chuc a chuc a cucha*" and yes she actually made that noise when describing what she thought.

So this is the tale of a young girl called Clary Fray who thought she was just an ordinary human girl or Cassandra Clare names a 'mundane' but it turns out that she is anything but normal as she is in fact a shadowhunter. For those that do not know, a shadow hunter is a line of people created by the angel Raziel that protect the world from evil beings from demons to down worlders to shadow hunters gone astray to the dark side. Clary's mum had erased her memory's in order to protect her from seeing the things that us humans cannot see and inevitably being a shadow hunter. All Clary has is her mum, her mum's friend called Luke Garroway thats adopted the father role and her best friend Simon that is secretly in love with her. I say secretly but it is very plain and obvious, she is the only one who cannot see it. After going to a night club Clary see's shadow hunters killing a demon and begins to draw runes which turns out to be a special gift she has. This is where the story gets going with her life completely changes within a day.

After her mother is taken by Valentine's henchmen (Valentine is a shadow hunter turned bad), Clary is then introduced properly to Jace and the two lightwoods - Alec and Isabelle at the institute which is like a safe haven place for their race. In a mission to find the mortal cup which is one of the mortal instruments that created them and that Clary's mother hid in a bid to stop Valentine who she was one married to and turns out to be Clary's father, not a very caring one as he cares for nothing but power. Clary and Jace fall in love with each other much to Simon's dismay and you cannot help but feel sorry for him and his geeky ways, and the five of them: Alec, Isabelle, Clary, Jace and Simon go through different lots of distressing situations from Magnus Bane's party, to a vampire facedown at the Hotel Dumont, to facing a greater demon in the form of Clary's neighbour who has become posessed all these  life threatening adventures should potentially have you on the edge of your seat wondering if the'll come out alive but for me it was pretty clear they would all survive. Then comes the final showdown between werewolves, Valentine, Hodge, the group of five and a whole lot of demons at the institute where lots of stuff goes down. Valentine tells Jace and Clary that they are both his children and therefore brother and sister cue the heartbreak and impossible relationship between the two of them. It is  revealed in the film that this is actually a lie however the characters do not know this so begins the secrets and lies theme. This could potentially anger fans of the book as the film approached this plot twist in a different way than the book, another change from the book is that in the film Valentine is given a replica mortal cup whereas in the book he escapes with the real thing. This could make the next film more complex or more intriguing depending which way you want to look at it. You can't please them all!

I think the chemistry between Jace and Clary played by Jamie Campbell Bower and Lily Collins was well done and very believable as they managed to portray the sexiness and mysterious nature of the characters complex relationship of not knowing how the other one feels but both longing for each other. The film's use of establishing shots was immense with the powerful settings creating just the right atmosphere and mood for the scenes to play out. The Mortal Instruments special effects were spot on with the huge range of demons they created that were so close to being realistic, if you saw these creatures in the flesh there is no doubt you would run away screaming. City of Bones contained the right amount of action, romance and fantasy setting to keep you watching and enjoying the film. I'll admit at some points I did find the plot to be slow moving but I understand the need to explain the storyline to viewers, as I had read the books I didn't need the extra background information so it felt unnecessary to rehash things over and over. Overall I think the casting was perfect with them doing the characters justice, the plot of a world within a world is one that may fascinate and draw in a large audience. So good luck to this new film franchise! I will be coming to see City of Ashes.

Film Quotes of the Week

In seven days, God created the world. And in seven seconds, I shattered mine. - Ben Thomas in Seven Pounds

You is kind. You is smart. You is important. - Aibileen Clark in The Help

To live would be an awfully big adventure. - Peter in Peter Pan

How many times in battle have we snatched victory from the jaws of defeat? Outnumbered, outflanked, but still we triumph? With you at my side, we can do so again. Lancelot, we are knights. What other  purpose do we serve if not for such a cause? - Arthur in King Arthur

We live, we die, and the wheels on the bus go round and round. - Edward Cole in The Bucket List

Despicable Me 2 (2013)

I went to see this very loveable film with my friends at the cinemas a couple of weeks ago, after seeing the first film I had high expectations of this comedy animation sequel and it definitely lived up to them.  In Despicable Me 2 we see Gru has had a total character change from that of selfish and evil villain to a caring family man who has adopted the three crazy and absolutely fantastic orphans called Margo, Edith and Agnes. So as the film opens up with the scene of Agnes' birthday party and Gru playing fairy godmother (sure to get a laugh) you may ask yourself where this plot is going as everything seems to be perfect and  everyone happy, but as most of us know that state of peacefulness and content never lasts for long. Gru is then recruited by the Anti-Villain League after a laboratory in the Arctic is stolen by a mystery villain, and who better to help than the best ex villain of all who managed to steal the moon in the first film. The quirky AVL agent called Lucy Wilde is the one who recruits him, and at first I was unsure on her character and found her to be over the top but I soon warmed to her and found her to be funny in a peculiar annoying sense.

Gru suspects the supposed to be dead villain El Macho of this crime but his accusation is undermined as  being an overprotective dad as El Macho's son makes a move on his eldest daughter Margo. But with more and more of his minions going missing, the investigation is heating up and it is vital that the AVL find the criminal before the secret plan is carried out to take over the world. Gru is right to be uncertain about El Macho as it turns out to be him that is responsible for all the latest going ons. This is where the true transition kicks in as Gru changes from a villain to hero as he saves Lucy whom he has fell in love with and takes down fellow villain. The humour in this film comes from the witty script and characters that you cannot help but love, I think anyone who goes to see Despicable Me 2 will not come away disappointed and will be fond of the film by the end. The ending leaves you on a cheerful heart warming note as Lucy and Gru get married with Agnes finally getting a mother that she appeared to long for throughout and the minions dressed up and dancing to the YMCA.

The minions still play a huge part within the film and you'll find the tiny uniform clad yellow men have grown in numbers since the first film, they help to keep the plot moving forward and when there are moments that have no main characters in you'll find they are lingering in the seen carrying out little petty acts that provide miniature hilarious moments. I particularly like the range of voices used for the characters as they are diverse, upbeat and entertaining, that suit each person well, I special mention to Steve Carell and Kristen Wigg that do the voices of Gru and Lucy.

Verdict- A film that will plaster a smile on your face no matter how old you are.

Here Comes The Boom (2012)

I'm going to get straight to the point for this one, I found the film to be dull and boring as my attention strayed on numerous occasions. I think watching paint dry or a fish swimming round a bowl may have given me more joy and entertainment than Here Comes The Boom did. To be fair some people may like this film but PERSONALLY I didn't.

The film is about a high school biology teacher that has to enter the wrestling ring in order to raise money to save the music teachers job and keep extra curricular programmes going within the school that will be cancelled if funding is not provided. Here comes the committed teacher to save the day! But in no way what so ever did he bring the boom. It begins showing Scott Voss turning up to school and climbing through the window due to him being late making him seem more like a student than a teacher, this unrealistic situation sets the comedy tone for the rest of the film where you couldn't squeeze a laugh out of me if you tried. After a meeting held telling the staff that extra curriculum lessons will be being cancelled due to no money in the cash strapped school which would result in the music teacher losing his job, Scott Voss steps up to the plate and decides to raise the money. Kevin James who plays Scott Voss endeavour to play the rebellious teacher falls flat and fails to amuse and his attempts to woo fellow colleague Bella Flores played by Salma Hayek are dire. The lack of chemistry between the pair of actors does not help the film in the slightest.

The character's first attempt at raising the doe is through teaching night citizen classes but he soon realises that it just won't cut it and will not come close to helping to fund the money. It is only when one of the pupils called Niko wants extra tutoring which leads to an exchange between the pair as Niko will teach Scott in fighting which seems like a sure way of making money. The best points of the film are when the wrestling scenes in the ring are on, with the biology teacher having fight various hard nuts and after some lucky success he makes it to the big time match that will earn him $50,000 if he wins. Now for the main spoiler that will probably come as no surprise to viewers - he wins. Here Come The Boom wants to be that uplifting movie that makes you want a happy ending but I found that I wasn't bothered if he won or not as the plot was not complicated enough to keep any intrigue or suspense.

Verdict- A mediocre film that fails to make you laugh despite its attempts. I'd give it a miss.

Jack Reacher (2012)

The film opens up with five innocent people being shot by a sniper in a public area, kudos to the use of point of view shots that allowed us as a viewer to feel like we were the ones preying on the victims and pulling the trigger. The shooting process are sure to stir up feeling of vulnerability as each person was easily killed off and although the characters killed were not at all developed, you cannot help but sympathise and feel that they got cheated out of their lives. With the apparent criminal who shot them being arrested more or less straight after by the police, it is easy enough to think 'it's too good be true' and you would be right in thinking it. They got the wrong guy. The man writes on a piece of paper "Get Jack Reacher" and this is when the story starts to develop with what I found to be an unlikeable character Jack Reacher. I could not seem to connect to this soon to be supposed hero of the piece, I don't know whether this was due to Tom Cruise as the actor (who did not suit this role) or the general writing and dialogue of the character. Either way a mistake was made somewhere because surely the main character should be shown as charismatic enough to be at least the little bit appealing.

After seeing the story on the news, Reacher turns up himself without the police having to look for him. Reacher is sure of the man's guiltiness but with plots unfolding he finds out stuff that he didn't expect and becomes finding evidence in defence of the so called criminal. And while these developments are happening so is a borderline romance between Reacher and the defendants lawyer called Helen Rodin played by Rosamund Pike. The redeeming qualities of the film come from the script writing that provided smooth dialogue that also would make me cringe with one liners, the action sequences were thick and fast throughout so lived up to the films action, crime, thriller genre however many were unrealistic and the lack of realism caused me to roll my eyes. I think the film could have been perceived better if more tension was built with a darker atmosphere created especially since the plot is a dark one. Reacher eventually finds those who are really responsible for the crime but the film ends on a deadpan note that left me unsatisfied.

Verdict: A slightly entertaining film but I found my attention straying at points.

Gangster Squad (2013)

I really enjoyed Gangster Squad as it contained so much action to keep you gripped.

 I would have liked to see the gangster squad's individual characters more developed as I felt that as a viewer you only receive a brief overview on each of their lives, and although I understand it would have took a lot longer to give more background away I think the additional information could have made the characters more relatable. The best way I can explain it is by comparing it with the characters in Armageddon as each character in that film is given shared time which allows us to form some emotional attachment to them so that when something tragic happens in the film like a death, we feel a loss. Whereas Gangster Squad did not have this so I found as I was less attached to the characters I was less engrossed and involved in the plot.

Whip It (2009)

I'm not going to lie this is one of my favourite films and I cannot even pinpoint what I love most about it! The actors and actresses do a divine job in playing the characters and making them so relatable to real life people. With the dry humour and weird quirkiness that the viewers who may sometimes feel like outcasts and not understood can really connect to. The whole plot is centred around Bliss Cavendar  a girl from a small town called Bodeen in Texas, trying to find herself in a place that seems so repetitive and dull. She is stuck in a dead end job at the 'Oint Joint' diner with her best friend Pash and faces the heavy expectations of her mother in beauty paegants to which she appears to be a utter disappointment. Bliss is the typical misfit that only has a few friends and the allure of the film comes from seeing her  character develop.

The film begins with a beauty paegant that is a truly lovely set out scene with the audience watching the contestants give their answers on stage then appears Bliss and Pash trying to sort Bliss' hair out before she goes on stage. Her bright red ragged hair catches everyones attention as she walks on stage with a close up on her mothers face who looks absolutely furious at her daughter. Later on in the film when we see a couple of roller derby girls go past Bliss handing out leaflets, we get an indication of where the storyline is leading as her eyes seem to light up with the possibility. After trying out for The Scouts she earns her place on the team with her small frame and quick speed making her perfect for roller derby.  With Bliss joining the roller derby league in Austin she soon finds her inner toughness that we didn't know she had as she faces many obstacles to be where she wants to be. It is at a party that she encounters Oliver and the romance between them begins the blossom into something shown all the way through the film as it adds more to the coming of age story. When The Scouts begin to win some games which they never have done before, the hope of winning the league is insight. So the competition begins but with lots of twists and turns in the plot to keep things interesting. From a controlling mother to a cheating boyfriend who she thought loved her to a team of unexpected friends. All subplots intertwining to tell the tale of Bliss.

The finale of the film comes at the last derby match which you would expect the scouts to win but they don't but that does not ruin the journey they have all been on as they have become a tight knit family that all have each others back. We see Bliss earn the respect of the famous derby legend Iron Maiden  which leaves us all with that content feeling of a story that has been tied up nicely but not typically. 

Comparisons to the film Juno could be made here with the Ellen Page playing similar characters in the two films, but I personally feel that Whip It has more to offer with the amazing cast that never fail to plaster a smile on your face. Throughout the film, a fun highly charged atmosphere is created to keep you interested with a witty dialogue and some action from the derby scenes. 

 My Final Comment - It is a feel good film sure to lighten any mood. 

Think Like A Man (2012)

Think Like A Man has a nicely put together cast with all the actors working well to portray the different types of relationships. This film doesn't just show the good things about falling in love, instead it tackles the low points and how hard it is to make a relationship work. It focuses on four different couples that happen to be from the main group of male friends as the action goes back and forth from the the group of men talking to one of the four men and women dating this highlighting the different types of people and diverse range of opinions.

When a book is released by Steve Harvey giving advice to all women on how to date men and get them to eventually commit and fall in love, the books start flying off the shelves with all the women wanting to know what they can do to land a man. It highlights the distinct types of men such as the mommy's boy, the player and the dreamer and what to do to change them. After the guys all discover what is happening and how they are all being played they decide its game on and they will play the girls at their own game. The film has moments of humour but these aren't displayed evenly throughout, which I think it needed as a film like this needs to keep the atmosphere light although it appears to tackle the subject of people's emotions. It turns out that all the men and women actually did genuinely fall for each other causing them to try and win each other back as they all separate at one point. Therefore it is not the most realistic of stories but ends with a happy ending so if your looking for a film with a cheerful tone then this may just be the one for you as it contains both romance and comedy.

This Means War (2012)

I could just write Tom Hardy and Chris Pine are in this film therefore you should watch it but then that would not be helpful for the majority of people but for a fair few the eye candy would be enough to make you watch. However this film was so much better than I expected with it funny quips placed here and there, just enough to make a laugh escape from your mouth and it also has a well performed romance between the trio. Although I feel the bromance between Hardy and Pine was better done than the chemistry between the two actors and Witherspoon.

This is not just the ordinary love story of two guys competing for a woman's undying love, it has much more going on within the film to keep it upbeat with just the right pace and a lot of action to keep you glued to the screen. The film begins introducing FDR (Pine) and Tuck (Hardy) as two CIA partners who cross a russian crime boss that vows revenge on the duo after they kill his brother in an operation. Then comes Lauren (Witherspoon) with her sassy attitude that both guys fall for and begin to compete for. This is when the comedy begins as they both do checks on her to find out what she likes and scout out each others dates cue the sabotage! It appears that Lauren likes both FDR and Tuck so becomes stuck in a love triangle storyline that has been done many times before.

The one thing the agents did not expect was the criminal boss appearing in town and taking the thing that matters most to the pair - Lauren to lure them in and to get back at them. They must now work together again and combine efforts in order to save their girlfriend which leads to her eventually choosing between the pair. FDR and Tuck couldn't be more different with Tuck being divorced with a child who appears as the perfect gentlemen and FDR being the typical charming ladies man that actually has some hidden depth yet both intrigue her. The film ends with her choosing out of the two, I won't say which as it'll ruin the movie if you want to watch it.

Verdict: This film isn't the best of films or a must see movie but it is good fun and uplifting as it doesn't take itself to seriously, so give it a watch.

Big Miracle (2012)

Big Miracle is a film about three whales in Alaska that get stuck under the ice with only one blow hole in the thick ice between the family to breath out of. After being discovered by a news reporter and a young Alaskan boy; the news soon spreads around the town of Barrow and eventually becomes global, with reporters from all over the world coming to report on the powerful story. With the help of the news reporters ex Rachel Kramer who volunteers at Green Peace, the news spreads and a plan to save the magical three grey whales is created. People from all over join forces, with enemies becoming allies due to the cause; we see the American and Russian military combine efforts with the local natives to save the family that are named Fred, Wilma and Bam Bam.

A truly beautiful moment is shown when fiercely protective Rachel played by Drew Barrymore goes down into the water and swims with the three whales, showing a brief enlightening moment between human and animals that suggest a joint understanding between the different species. The vulnerability of the whales causes your heart to contract as the mother tries to keep her baby alive, brushing him upwards to the hole to breath when he is weak. The combined efforts from people all over help to achieve the goal of creating more holes along the ice to lead the whales back to the sea and safety, with Wilma and Fred following the holes the response to viewing this is an intense relief however it is short lived when we realise that Bam Bam is not coming up and had sadly passed away in a moment of realisation that makes you catch your breath. However the film ends on a happier note as the Russians help means that the two whales are released back into the sea and into freedom.

Due to the story being a true story that took place in the 1980's I felt more of a connection with the tale and found myself willing for the people in the film to join together in order to save these poor and helpless creatures and wanting to be part of the rescue. This film works so well as it contains so many different relationships that we can all connect to on some level from mother trying to protect son, to humans joining together to help save the whales, to the connection that is formed between the whales and the humans, all of which are truly endearing. I think it shows a side to human nature that we hardly hear about or see that is kindness, hope and love all combined to save what may seem like just a couple more lives but the family of whales are so much more than that, they manage to join people in conflict in a joint cause which is a celebration in its self. The film used animatronics for the whales instead of choosing to use CGI however it worked so well as the whales looked realistic and were believable in their movements and looks. Ken Kwapis did an amazing job in directing this film as a lot of his decisions were on point in making a emotional piece of moving art that had just the right amount of drama and realism in order to tell this true story.