Happy New Year :-)

I hope you all had an amazing christmas and are looking forward to 2011.

The start of a new year means one thing only in the world of film - awards ceremonies. The Golden Globes come up on the 16th January, the BAFTA awards on 13th February and the Oscars on 27th February, filling up the first quarter of our year with acting talent. I’m going to be writing lots about the awards ceremonies over the coming months, so I hope you’re ready!!

2011 also sees plenty of mouth-watering new film releases, such as Rabbit Hole, Love and Other Drugs and Tangled. I will be reviewing as many new releases as humanly possible, to spare you from films that suck and urge you to see films that are out of this world. If you’re into movies, this is the blog for you. Without further ado, here are the top 10 films I can’t wait to watch in 2011;

1. The King’s Speech
2. Chalet Girl
3. Captain America: The First Avenger
4. Biutiful
5. Black Swan
6. Rango
7. True Grit
8. 127 Hours
9. Thor
10. Restless

As excited as you all are about rushing down to the cinema (‘Orange Wednesdays’ I hear you cry!) enjoy the new year celebrations before you get re-glued to a cinema screen. Have a fun start to 2011, let’s make this year an incredible one. 

:-) thanks for reading :-) 

Merry Christmas All :-)

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a merry christmas. I’ll not be writing again until the new year, but then I’ll be back with more great reviews. So have fun, stay safe and enjoy last of 2010. :-)

Sherlock Holmes

Certificate: 12A

Running Time: 128 minutes

Director: Guy Ritchie

It seemed to me very strange to cast an American actor (Robert Downing Jr) as this legendary British character, however, it is clear that Jude Law (the role of Watson) would not have pulled off the lead. Downing Jr did a pretty good job portraying Sherlock - the perfect dose of witty mixed in with cheeky. The whole plot was thrilling - action from beginning to end - and a lot of memorable scenes. I felt a tiny sense that something was missing as the end credits rolled, but actually rather enjoyed the whole thing. Money well spent I would say.

Rating: ****

He's Just Not That Into You

Certificate: 12A

Running Time: 129 minutes

Director: Ken Kwapis

I managed to endure this film, and it wasn’t all bad, but I think I’d only credit it as being mediocre. The one thing it has going for it is a huge cast of recognizable faces; Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper, Justin Long, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Connelly. The plot wasn’t exactly the most original, and was almost confusing at times to work out who was interlinked with who. One of those films that you’ll think will be fabulous due to its all-star cast but ends up being a disappointment.

Rating: ***

Did you Hear About the Morgans?

Certificate: PG

Running Time: 103 minutes

Director: Marc Lawrence

Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker star in this well-made romantic comedy about an estranged couple who end up being relocated together after witnessing a murder. Some of the scene’s are slightly predictable and cliche, but if you want a light-hearted, feel-good movie, this is the one to watch. Grant and Parker had fabulous on-screen chemistry.

Rating: ****

Kick-Ass

Certificate: 15

Running Time: 117 minutes

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Starring Aaron Johnson (seen in Nowhere Boy) as the lead, Kick-Ass is about a regular kid who decides that you don’t have to be super to become a superhero. But there’s a big thing that distinguishes this from all those other superhero movies. Mainly that he generally gets his ass kicked, but also that it’s funny, not cliche in any way and was a very individual and unique storyline. Well worth a watch if you want a bit of action comedy. Aaron Johnson is definitely one to watch - he’s a talented, rising star.

Rating: ****

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Certificate: 12A

Running Time: 96 minutes

Director: Woody Allen

The strangely depicted tale of two friends, who find a mutual love and desire for one man on a vacation in Barcelona. Starring Scarlett Johansson. Also starring Penelope Cruz as the ever-so-slightly-crazy ex-wife who comes back into the picture, causing mayhem. A very interesting and original plot, with high quality acting and a fantastic setting. Worth a watch, although you may find it hard to keep up with at times.

Rating: ****

How to Train Your Dragon

Certificate: PG

Running Time: 98 minutes

Directors: Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders

An animated tale about a boy, his viking village, and obviously, dragons! The trailer made it seem as though it was really funny - but it didn’t make me laugh at all really. This is the only criticism, as the movie was still really great. I enjoyed watching it immensely and it’s a great family film. It’s nice to see an original idea, when there are so many new films out there that feel like the plot has been ‘borrowed’ from a previous film. 

Rating: ****

Shutter Island

Certificate: 15

Running Time: 138 minutes

Director: Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio team up (again!) to create this psychological thriller set in 1954. DiCaprio plays a U.S. Marshall investigating the disappearance of a patient in a psychiatric unit on a isolated island. The whole plot takes a very sinister approach, and there is more than what meets the eye. However, it was slightly predictable and slightly confusing throughout. Average in all sense of the word. 

Rating: ***

Sex and the City 2

Certificate: 15

Running Time: 146 minutes

Director: Michael Patrick King

You should probably know by now the story, considering it was a TV show for six seasons, and a blockbuster debut - which was HUGE!! I was so excited to watch it and it didn’t disappoint. The cast that we all love were back in their element. More tremendously glamorous outfits. Set in the beautiful United Arab Emirates. The storyline was a great follow-on, and it was awesome to see Aiden “the one that got away” back in the mix. Lots of hilarity's, fun and frolics, and the one and only Carrie Bradshaw.

Rating: ****

The Hangover

Certificate: 15

Running Time: 100 minutes

Director: Todd Phillips

You’re typical what-happens-in-vegas-stays-in-vegas kind of movie. The morning after the night before, four blokes recall their wild stag night, leading to disastrous consequences after their crazy antics. Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham and Mike Tyson all star. It was quite funny, but such a cliche film. Not overly unique, but worth a watch if you’re in the mood for it.

Rating: ***

Couple's Retreat

Certificate: 15

Running Time: 113 minutes

Director: Peter Billingsley

A romantic comedy about four couples who go on a therapeutic retreat in order to save their marriages. Fairly funny. Pretty good plot. Lots of eye candy if you’re into girls. Not much in the way of male eye candy. A beautiful setting. If you haven’t been on vacation in a while, this might make you drool. Anyone who has seen this will say it’s pretty good overall, but will probably tell you to just fast forward to the yoga scene for fits of giggles.

Rating: ***

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Certificate: PG

Running Time: 118 minutes

Director: Chris Columbus

One word to sum up this film: AWFUL! It was as badly pulled off in all areas as ‘Eragon’, with below average acting, over the top special effects and overall was very long winded. One of the worst films I have ever had to sit through - thanks to my wonderful little brother. It took 2 hours of my time, so I refuse to spend another minute more with it present in my memory. Just don’t waste your time or money please people.

Rating: *

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Certificate: 12A

Running Time: 124 minutes

Director: David Slade

I love, love, LOVE every single novel in this series. Stephenie Meyer should be proud of her imagination and what she has accomplished. But I really don’t like the films. The acting is sub-standard, the effects verging on laughable and a lot of key moments have been dropped. I hate to think what they are going to do with the subsequent films. A movie for anyone who enjoys Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson or Taylor Lautner, aswell as anyone who wants to snigger at bad special effects. If you want my advice - read the books or watch ‘Vampires Suck’ instead. 

Rating: **

Alice in Wonderland

Certificate: PG

Running Time: 108 minutes

Director: Tim Burton

Based on the novel by Lewis Carroll, and the previous Disney animated adaption, Tim Burton puts his trusted duo (Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter) in the foreground of this epic picture. Major league actors; check. Grand special effects; check. Charisma, chemistry and suspense; check. I hoped this movie would be a superb adaptation, and it didn't disappoint.

Rating: ****

Paranormal Activity

Certificate: 15

Running Time: 86 minutes

Director: Oren Peli

The best thing about watching this film was that the cinema room was almost empty so I had space to put my feet up. Which, it turns out, is pretty handy when you want to fall asleep. A low budget film that somehow ended up making millions. I was more scared by the nachos I was served than I was of this movie! It made my friend jump about 4ft in the air, but it had no such effect on me or anyone else. I’m sure it’s pretty obvious to you already that there won’t be a review of the second film.

Rating: *

Shrek Forever After

Certificate: PG

Running Time: 93 minutes

Director: Mike Mitchell

The fourth depiction in the Shrek series. Better than the previous two, but of course, nowhere near as amusing as the original. Shrek (Mike Myers), Fiona (Cameron Diaz), Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and the rest of the fairy-tale crew (including voices by Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews and John Cleese) are back, ready to give us a happy ending. But there’s no smooth sailing in the land of Far Far Away. Funny in places, but the story-lines are getting tired. Kids will enjoy, but I think Dreamworks have strung the pandemic of Shrek out for long enough.

Rating: ***

500 Days of Summer

Certificate: 12A

Running Time: 95 minutes

Director: Marc Webb

To quote ‘Roses are Red, Violets are Blue... fuck you, whore!!!’ Sorry for those who disapprove of the language, but it had me almost peeing my pants with laughter for about 20 minutes and was used as a catchphrase for the following week! Joseph Gordon-Levitt is charmingly cute, as per usual. He plays Tom Hansen, a guy who just simply falls in love. But put the tissues away, this isn’t your average fairy-tale. A brilliant film - everything was pulled off to a high standard. Men and women alike will certainly enjoy it. Well done to the director, Marc Webb. Thank-you for creating this movie for our entertainment.

Rating: ****