Thursday 29 March 2012

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
The idea of this story is to remember the war and ensure that never happens again, each district will select one girl and boy to fight to the death. Of course district 12 is the poor district and it is generally an underdog story with a stark resemblance to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Running Man.

I felt I was watching the director’s cut. This film is too long and too boring. (If I am looking at my watch you know it is not a good sign!).

I like the costumes and sets but the story is weak and goodness knows how people will watch three of these films (there are three books).

Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss Everdeen and is almost in every scene of the film. She is likeable but I think it would work better if there was more character development of the
other people in the film.

In short, this is not a good film. I cannot face seeing it again although my son wanted to see it. If you pay to see a film more than once you know you are going to make your money back. If you can’t face it you are missing a trick.

Verdict: So unless you wish to lose 142 minutes of your life, go hire the Running Man instead!

Thursday 22 March 2012

21 Jump Street

21 Jump Street
Written by kids for kids! If you are old enough to remember the 80’s series then you will not enjoy this. This is gross out comedy and IT IS NOT FUNNY!!

Bits I liked:
Lego bow tie (I challenge you to find it!)
Original cast members doing cameos (They stole the show in the five
minutes screen time they had! Much love to Johnny Depp and Peter DeLuise as the
original Doug Penhall and Tom Hanson who are not even credited!)
Ice Cube as Captain Dickson
How much school has changed in seven years
Stages of high from drugs
The password for geeks and the pretend light saber fight)
Eminem start (will the real slim shady please stand up

Bits I hated:
Swearing – especially the MF word
A teacher picking up his dick with his mouth
Trying too hard to be funny
The wimpy green kids (is it really so cool to be that green?)
Most of the rest of it

It has moments when it is good but the laughs are aimed at an audience who are much younger than myself. (There were people laughing but I was not sure if they were drunk or if it was the film).

Verdict: It’s marmite. You will either love it or hate it depending on which side of 30 you are!

Tuesday 20 March 2012

John Carter

John Carter
Where do I start? If you like this genre of film, in theory you should like this. I need to clarify that this book is over 100 years old so please do not think it is stolen from Star Wars – Star Wars stole it from John Carter!

It is a bit fragmented and takes its time to get going, (is it a western?, period piece? Sci-fi. Etc)
but once you find yourself on Mars, you really are transformed into another world.

The story is about a man called John Carter (I think a better title would have improved box office revenue), who has found himself a cave of gold…and so much more. The monsters are brilliant and really enjoyable. The story goes at a good pace and you forget that this is someone telling a story from a diary. The Tharks are stunning and stand alone as a race of monsters. This is exactly how Jar Jar Binks should have been!

I loved the ending (which I won’t spoil)…for me the only thing wrong with this film is the script. I found it wooden and basic. There could be much more humour and dry wit in there, instead of just saying what you know is basic dialogue. But that is my only criticism. I think this film will
grow on you.

Thursday 15 March 2012

Wanderlust

Wanderlust - A silly title for a silly film.
It is about a NY couple who, through circumstances, end up on this hippy commune. It is a very predictable and obvious film.

My issues with the film are:
If you sleep with someone else in your marriage, it will cause problems. Not make you realise how much you love your spouse.
How are George and his brother related? His brother is very annoying (and so is his son). This felt like a desperate grab at a laugh.
The weird diverse community would probably not get on that well together in real life.

If you ignore all the issues that are so wrong with this film, it is passable and worth a watch. Jennifer Anniston is still playing Rachel from Friends but we love her for that. Her husband is Paul Rudd (He was Phoebe’s husband Mike in Friends), and together they are a “nice” couple.

But some parts of this film are just NOT funny. (ie when George talks to himself in the mirror to get the courage up to sleep with another person from the commune).

Verdict: If you are an old hippy, you will love it. Everyone else will not!

Wednesday 14 March 2012

This means war

This means war

If you are looking for an action rom com then look no further. There is enough action for the guys and enough girl talk to keep the girls happy. I loved how different the two guys are and even I would want to date Lauren (played by Reese) as she is beautiful and intelligent.

The story is simple. Two good friends end up dating the same girl. The difference is they are both in the CIA so it’s gloves off for playing dirty. I love Lauren’s friend and really laughed out loud when her friend said she would sleep with them both as a favour to Lauren. I don’t agree with her when she said pick the guy who makes you a better person. No other person should make you a better person!

It is an enjoyable roller-coaster film (and very predictable) so sit back and enjoy it.

Ermm….does anyone know where I can get a job like Lauren’s? (That is way too much fun and to get paid for it too! So not fair).

Thursday 8 March 2012

The best exotic Marigold Hotel

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The cinema was full of silver haired people excited about this film. I felt quite young to be sharing this experience with them.

The film is about a handful of retired people who chose (for one reason or another) to go to India for their “Old people’s home”. This film has a wonderful cast including: Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Judi Dench, Dev Patel, Celia Imrie, and Penelope Wilton. Poor Penelope is the only one who gets on my nerves a bit as she is a terrible moaner and yet there are many who will recognise a small part of themselves in her character.

I loved this film from the start when poor Judi Dench is trying to make sense of a call centre in India about her internet provider. I have AOL and they use India for their call centres so I totally sympathised with her issues.

This is very much a feel good film about India and how we are never too old to live your life. I love all the meaningful proverbs and how each individual comes to see India in another way.
I would not choose India to live out my old age, but then I don’t really like curry! This film is more than that – It strongly suggests that you shouldn’t give up on life once you retire. I for one, intend to learn that lesson!

Verdict: You are never too old to see this film and learn something new!