I am sure I have made posts before when I have a song of the moment before, so here goes another one of those posts. I heard this song for the first time on Wednesday when the Royal Variety performance was on TV and pretty much downloaded it on Friday and have listened to it 25 times on iTunes already!!! Yes I did say it was a song of the moment.

I think its a totally different type of song to hear from Lady GaGa showing that she really is talented with music, while yes she is a little strange. But I think thats all part of her act, she does things differently. This shows in the performance at the Royal Variety.

I guess I can just really relate to this song at the moment with the lyrics they just really appeal to me, and somethings that have been going on at the moment.

Lyrics:

I can’t believe what you said to me
Last night when we were alone
You threw your hands up
Baby you gave up, you gave up
I can’t believe how you looked at me
With your James Dean glossy eyes
In your tight jeans with your long hair
And your cigarette stained lies
Could we fix you if you broke?
And is your punch line just a joke?
I’ll never talk again
Oh boy you’ve left me speechless
You’ve left me speechless, so speechless
I can’t believe how you slurred at me
With your half wired broken jaw
You popped my heart seams
On my bubble dreams, bubble dreamsa
I can’t believe how you looked at me
With your Johnnie Walker eyes
He’s gonna get you and after he’s through
There’s gonna be no love left to rye
And I know that it’s complicated
But I’m a loser in love
So baby raise a glass to mend
All the broken hearts
Of all my wrecked up friends
I’ll never talk again
Oh boy you’ve left me speechless
You’ve left me speechless so speechless
I’ll never love again,
Oh friend you’ve left me speechless
You’ve left me speechless, so speechless
Hooow?
Haaaa-oooo-wow?
H-ooow?
Wow
Haaaa-oooo-wow?
H-ooow?
Wow
And after all the drinks and bars that we’ve been to
Would you give it all up?
Could I give it all up for you?
And after all the boys and girls that we’ve been through
Would you give it all up?
Could you give it all up?
If I promise to you boy
That I’ll never talk again
And I’ll never love again
I’ll never write a song
Won’t even sing along
I’ll never love again
So speechless
You left me speechless, so speechless
Why you so speechless, so speechless?
Will you ever talk again?
Oh boy, why you so speechless?
You’ve left me speechless
Some men may follow me
But you choose “death and company”
Why you so speechless? Oh oh oh

Two posters have been released for next years release of Valentine’s Day, I have to admit that I am very much looking forward to this movie because some of my favorite actors/actresses are in this, mainly Julia Roberts . But I am also happy to see Taylor Swift in this too, as I am such a big fan of her music.

Do you want to see this movie?

Billy and Joe

This is probably the funniest pairings in the form of aging singer Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) and his manager Joe (Gregory Fisher). Joe is attempting to help Billy get back on top of the music world, by releasing the cheesy “Christmas is all around” and surprisingly he does get to Christmas number 1.

The basis of their relationship which you know has been over a lot of years now and through lots of different situations and general goings on, but in the film they are shown on different radio stations and tv shows promoting the song. Billy giving Joe scary moments by saying silly things like “kids don’t buy drugs, become a pop star and they give you them for free”.

Billy does get the Christmas number 1 and ends up going briefly to a party hosted by Elton John, leaving Joe all alone in his small flat. But after being there not very long he turns up at Joe’s flat and confesses that Christmas is a time to be with the people you love (which is a very nice message from the film, in my opinion). But he realised that “the people I love . . . is you” which results in a brilliant result from Joe mentioning that 5 minutes at Elton John’s and he’s acting gay. They embrace in what is a rather awkward man hug, but all amusing a the same time.

I think the main message from this storyline is that you should be with people you care about over Christmas, whether it be family or friends it does not matter as long as you love them in someway. The Christmas number 1 got Billy back into the limelight and chance to be part of the showbiz world again. But he realises that he would actually much rather be with Joe than at a mad party, which I actually found very cute.

Billy Mack is my favorite character in the film, mainly because of the funny lines and moments he has. Acted so brilliantly by Bill Nighy who I just love, and because I have been very geeky with this movie I have watched it with the cast commentary and Bill Nighy just sounded like he did not want to see himself on the screen and he was very embarrassed. To make it all even funnier they actually did release a music video of Billy Mack singing Christmas is all around into the UK charts.

So a very well put together story showing the deep and long friendship of two men, who have so clearly been there for each other through a lot over the years.

What do you make of the storyline involving this pairing?

The first poster has been released for the fourth and final Shrek movie. Not really too much to comment on this poster really, other than Puss in Boots is rather on the fat side . . . will this really be Shrek Forever After? Well the third movie was not really the best, are we bored of seeing the same jokes over and over now?

This could be the start of quite a lot of posters for this movie being released.

I have been a proud Blackberry user for a few years now and currently have the Curve. Since I got this phone I have had the WordPress Application installed but never actually used it. I figured now as I cannot sleep would be a good time to test out if I could see myself using the application to actually update my blog or not. Does anyone else use a phone application to update their blog?

I suppose it is not much different other than it being smaller than a computer, but not as simple to post pictures. Although if I take a picture on my phone I can upload straight to the blog, which could encourage random movie taking related pictures.

I might as well make this movie related too and say that I still have not seen Avatar but cannot wait to go, maybe Saturday morning. Anyone seen it yet?

Set in London in the build up to Christmas following 8 different couples and showing the different types of love that is formed in different situations.

Now I am such a massive fan of this film and love it a lot, however on my first viewing I was not so sure. I found that it really is one of those films you have to watch a few times to really pick up little things about the different characters and storylines, as a lot of things happen which you have to follow. Showing us the different people in the 4 week build up to Christmas.

Each time you watch it, depending on your mood you may have a different couple or situation being your favorite on that viewing to another time of watching. I think that is one of the best things about this film, at different times you can relate to a different couple and it be very nice or very hard to watching depending on your own life. If you can relate to different characters.

A school Christmas show is included with a nativity play . . . including a lobster ?!?! If you have seen the film you will understand that is an amusing part. Said by the wonderful Emma Thompson, who really is just fantastic in this film and involved in a scene which will really break your heart . . . even if your made of stone!!!

The brilliance of this film is that it can easily make you laugh, cry and get the Christmas spirit all at the same time. All different types of love are shown, unrequited, mutual, family (brother/sister, father/son), friendship, sex etc. Some of it is lovely, some sad, some very cheesy and some just so cute. Which I think is why it all works so well, moving from story to story and having them crossover at different times so you have a variety and not just one certain theme throughout. Especially as you may not like one part but totally love another storyline.

With being set in London and Richard Curtis being the writer/director as you can imagine this is a very British film with British humour throughout. The Billy Mack “Ant or Dec” moment will probably not be funny anywhere else other than the UK, as it is kind of inside joke that people do not know which one is which. I have even watched this with the cast commentary on the DVD and actually found it rather amusing and informative about behind the scenes stuff, for example that one of the jokes was originally written for Hugh Grant in Four Weddings and a Funeral.

My favorite character in this film has to be Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) who plays an ageing pop star who has dealt with a drug problem and trying to get back on top with a Christmas number one with the cheesy “Christmas is All Around” originally “Love is All Around”. I just found him really hilarious and started my love of Bill Nighy. Another amusing thing about the song was that they actually released it in 2003 into the charts!

Look out for more posts on Love Actually, taking an in depth look at the couples/pairings in the movie over the next few days.

Do you LOVE this film?

What were your impressions on the first viewing? and what do you think after more than one viewing? (If you have seen it more than once)

I am going to finish this with a cheap pun . . . I actually love this film.

Yes I do love both Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler but I do not really like this poster very much, it looks very much just thrown together. What do you think of it?

The poster has been relased for Christopher Nolan and Leonardo DiCaprio’s up and coming film Inception. I actually really like this poster.

As I have mentioned in the previous posts over the weekend I was totally in team Joe for him to win this year’s x factor because he is from the same town I am from . . . South Shields. I have to admit that I really did find last nights show extremly emotional to watch, we voted at least 10 times in the 24 hours to vote for your winner. It was just brilliant when it was annouced he won!!!

Joe has come along way from his first audition which was so long ago now. Singing Dance with My Father Again, which he also sung last night on the first part of the final show.

He has never disappointed in any of the type of songs he had to sing, each week when they change the genre in which to sing in. He really has been the most consistent performer throughout.

Last night singing (and even out singing- in my opinion) with George Michael, he just looked so happy to be singing with him.

His mentor has been fellow Geordie Cheryl Cole

So tonight tune in and vote Joe !!!

The winners song is “The Climb” originally by Miley Cyrus and as I love that song, I cannot wait to hear Joe’s version as it really will be just fantastic.

South Shields is routing for you!!!

Yes, I have been watching the X-Factor for the past 12 weeks or so . . . but I have only kept watching the whole time because Joe McElderry has gotten all the way to the final and will find out if he is the winner of the 2009 X-Factor tomorrow night.

Why do I want Joe to win? – He is from the same town in the North East England which I am from South Shields . . . and him being on the show really has created such a buzz around the town and it is really just fantastic.

Tonight’s first part of the final was very emotional, and yes I was crying . . . a Geordie thing? Possibly?

Joe sung with George Michael, who Joe totally out sung . . .

Bring on the final chapter of his story tomorrow night and lets hope we see him announced the winner of the X-Factor 2009!

I have just realised that I have not made any posts about Avatar . . . and actually find this quite shocking for quite a lot of reasons. Those being; I have seen the trailer loads of times over the past few months and in 3D a couple of times, I love fantasy films and the thought of getting totally lost in another world, this is the most expensive film ever made at 300 million, it has been an idea for 15 years and taken the past 4 years for James Cameron to make the film . . . and we all remember the success he had in his last big venture, still the biggest box office taking ever in Titanic. But Avatar is going to be Epic in a totally different way. CGI . . . 3D . . . in a Sci-Fi/action/adventure/thriller, it just promises to be out of this world and blow you away to something that you have never seen before, and by looking at the trailer and pictures it is certainly going to do just that.

The build up for this film has been magnified this week in The Sun (a British newspaper) with interviews and information about the film and competitions to win Avatar merchandise. Creating general buzz for the film, and trying to give people a background to how it was made and the time period it took to make it. I think coming out the week before Christmas will get in big audience through the day as well with it being a time of year families and people seem to socialize more. I am sure film bloggers and film fans have had this film on their calender for a long time and are really looking forward to seeing it.

General opinions in the film blogging world on using 3D at the movies is that it does not really make much of a difference in the viewing of the films it has been used for thus far. This film could change that or it could in fact put an end to more films being made in 3D if that aspect is not enjoyed . . . Possibly?!?! But from seeing the trailer in normal 2D as well as 3D, I think it is going to look fantastic either way.

Reading through some trivia for the film, I think it shows how much James Cameron wanted this film to be made as it was shelved for almost 10 years as he wanted to start making it straight after Titanic. But at the time no studio would fund the film. The CGI used for Gollum in Lord of the Rings was what really started this film  up again, as Cameron realised CGI had eventually caught up to his vision of a film. The movie is 40% live action and 60% photo-realistic CGI. A lot of motion capture technology was used for the CGI scenes. I find this interesting that 60% is CGI and 40% is live action, do you think it is good to mix the two together?

Even watching the trailer you can totally get lost and want to see more of the new fantasy world. Who at times would not just love to go to a totally different world to get away from things!!! I bet everyone would at some point, so we get to by watching this film and seeing the amazing world which has been created.

The aliens are totally different to any other aliens which have been seen on film up to now, I find these aliens more elegant than other aliens which are made from a totally different approach to how aliens could look. What do you think of the aliens?

Avatar opens in UK theatres on Thursday 17th December.

Are you going to rush out to see this one?

What if Santa Claus had an older brother who was pretty jealous of his every move and had to move to the North Pole right before Christmas?

Fred Claus (Vince Vaughn) moves to the North Pole in order to work for some money that he wants from his brother Nick (Paul Giamatti). But Fred is not the only guest in the North Pole in the build up to Christmas, Clyde (Kevin Spacey) who is analysing and watching Nick and seeing how the Elf’s are working and making sure they are not over worked by a 3 strike role or the North Pole workshop will be closed forever.

This is not really much different to a lot of other Christmas movies that you would have watched, although I feel it is geared more towards an adult audience as young children will probably get bored at times, especially when it is away from the North Pole. But that does not mean it does not contain funny moments, as it really is filled with quite a lot of funny moments. My favorite has to involve Kevin Spacey and a Superman cape . . .  The other really amusing moment has to be the help group which is for people with famous brothers who are sick of living in their spotlight.

Films involving the North Pole and Santa always seem to end up with someone having to save Christmas and deliver all of the presents to the children of the world and this is no different. But with Nick throwing his back out, it was then Fred’s turn to save Christmas and fly the sleigh around the world delivering presents . . . but does he make it in time?

While this is not the worst Christmas film ever, it is no where near the best. It is alright to watch and entertaining in parts, but it is missing a little something . . . maybe it does not feel totally like Christmas because of the times away from the North Pole and Santa? Maybe? 

Performance wise, for me Kevin Spacey really does totally steal every scene in which he is in (yes, that is in nearly everyone of his other movies too) but I really do think hes just fantastic. I thought Paul Giamatti’s Santa looked very good and acting well considering not a massive amount of screen time, as this film wasnt really about Santa it was about Fred.  I found Rachel Weisz rather annoying in this, mainly because her accent seems to change every time she speaks?!?! I mean what was going on with that, plus the way the character goes on with Fred annoyed me too. Vince Vaughn as Fred was pretty much the same helpless character he plays in most movies, but you cannot help to find him entertaining.

I would not really call this required Christmas viewing as definitely not going to become a classic or even a big favorite of mine.

“Where The Wild Things Are” is released in the UK today, so I thought I would post all of the posters that were released for the film. I might go and see it at some point over the weekend.

Yet another poster has been released for Iron Man 2, this time featuring Mickey Rourke who is taking on the role of Whiplash. Another poster which is very good I must say, so far so good for Iron Man 2 posters.

The first poster has been released for the second Sex and the City movie which comes out next year, I really cannot wait for this movie to come out. Yes if you have never read my blog before you will probably not know that I am a massive SATC fan. I like the “Carrie on” tagline on the bottom with a big 2 in the background. No need to have Sex and the City written on it.

A teenager Richard (Zac Efron) is cast in a Mercury Theatre production of “Julius Caesar” in 1937, with Orson Welles (Christian McKay). This film follows Richard from being cast to opening night, and what happens to him in between.

This film shows Orson Welles mainly through the eyes of a young actor who was cast in his latest theatre production. Richard is seen growing up in a couple of weeks during the rehearsal process of the play and seeing Orson in action. How he got people to do what he wanted when he wanted, and if they did not like that they would not work with him ever again. He wanted people to tell him what he wanted to hear, even if this meant lying. He liked very much to be told he was fantastic. Richard quickly finds out that a life in the theatre is not exactly how he imagined it to be.

Richard’s relationship (if you can call it that) with Sonja shows how naive he is, when he actually believes that she could be in love with him. Her real interests are making herself more well-known and getting to know people who are of high standing in the theatre and even Hollywood.

The film did not seem like it would actually see release at the cinema but eventually it did in the UK last week, I do not really see it doing that well at the box office because of the subject of the film. Maybe Zac Efron will pull in some of the younger people but I do not think they will find this entertaining enough compared to his other films. I have to admit that I was quite surprised that I liked this film a lot, I thought it looked entertaining in the sense of seeing what happens behind the scenes of a Broadway/Theatre production. Yes I do like to watch things like this and see the motions actors/directors etc go through when preparing for a production.

I had heard that Zac Efron’s performance has surprised a lot of people and also it has been claimed that this role has taken him away from his HSM fame and type of performance. I have to totally agree with this it is a different performance from Efron and really has shown a glimpse of what type of actor he can be, the potential he has lets just hope he continues to grow as an actor and chooses roles like this one to really help prove himself.

Christian McKay as Orson Welles was truly remarkable, and looked a lot like him at times as well which was just fantastic. He commanded the scenes in which he was in all the time and really grabbed the attention of the audience. It was such a brilliant breakout role and he has been nominated for awards.

Overall, I really enjoyed this film and found that it really flew over as you got totally consumed into the production and wanting to know how it will go, will something go wrong, will everything be perfect etc. Which I think is a good way to have a film, when you are not entirely sure in which direction it is going in.

The first poster has been released for next year’s The Last Song, which was written by Nicholas Sparks and is starring Miley Cyrus alongside Greg Kinnear.

I am really looking forward to this, I love Nicholas Sparks based movies and I am a big fan of Miley Cyrus.

A Christmas time comedy, which is actually really funny . . . but has plenty of Christmas Spirit reminding us the whole point of this holiday. We follow Buddy the Elf who is actually human, on a quest to find his real father, who just happens to live in New York City.

Yes a grown man running around NYC dressed in full Elf attire telling everyone he really is an elf and he is from the North Pole, is bound to have so many jokes and actually be really funny to watch. Put Will Ferrell in that role and you really do have a winning film. A man who knows the real Santa Claus, and actually ends up helping him out a lot. I think the costume Buddy wears throughout the majority of the film really does help the comedy value, and his constant sugar rush because of the food that he eats is just hilarious. Always happy, always smiling and trying to really spread the Christmas spirit.

I have so many favorite moments in this film which actually make me laugh out loud, including when he gets excited that “Santa” is going to be coming into the department store the next day shouting that he knows him . . . as you can guess Buddy ends up disappointed the following day. Saying that smiling is his favorite, singing out loud at any time. The getting hit by a taxi was a very slapstick funny moment for me, yes I am strange and find it amusing when people walk into something, fall over or are hit by something (all of which you know the person is not hurt, as that would just be cruel).

When Buddy leaves the North Pole to find his father, you can already sense that his father is not going to have any Christmas spirit and not be the nicest man in the world. But this is all part of the charm of Buddy and what Christmas can bring. So this makes for a very nice ending when they help Santa.

Buddy also meets a girl who he eventually goes on a date with, although he does not completely understand the whole dating world. His younger brother does try to help him out but that does not really work to well.

Zooey Deschanel is an actress which I am really struggling to actually like though, she seems to annoy me more than anything else in which ever role she has been in. I cannot really place why exactly but she never seems to come across very likeable. I mean yes this could be the roles that she is in, but does anyone else feel the same?

Will Ferrell really is just fantastic in this film, so funny. I would not class myself as a big fan of his other work, and actually think the other of his films which I really enjoy is a different type of comedy in “Stranger than Fiction” his usual slapstick does not appeal to me very much as it’s not my type of humour. But I find “Elf” totally different, maybe the Christmas spirit factor gives me a different spin. Totally is becoming one of my favorite Christmas movies.

So what do you think?

Are you an Elf fan?

Is it on your Christmas Movies list?

For some reason I find posters which have half the actor’s faces on in a diagonal line quite attention grabbing . . . I know that might seem strange but I do find this one to have the same type of draw. Good leading cast for this movie! Plus I do love Richard Gere.

A second poster has been released for next year’s Iron Man 2. This time we can see Robert Downey Jr. I actually quite like this poster.

What do you make of this poster?

Do you like it better than the first one released the other day?

Michael Sheen appeared on the Graham Norton show a week or so ago now. I must first say that I love Graham Norton and have been a fan of his for such a long time now, he asks questions that other talk show hosts could not get away with and getting them to do random things. Any way Michael Sheen was a guest and even done an impression of graham. They talked about his recent appearance in New Moon as Aro and the impact that this could have on his career, this lead me to think about Michael Sheen . . .

He has been Tony Blair but over shadowed by Helen Mirren as the queen. He has been David Frost but again over shadowed by Frank Langella as president Richard Nixon. He eventually took centre stage as the legendary Brian Clough (in The Damned United) and was phenomenal but will this role bring him some awards glory? At least nominations? Well I for one certainly hope so, the Baftas have to be his biggest hope. I always felt he has not received enough credit for his work in the queen or Frost/Nixon even though the leads performances would not have been the same without him as such a fantastic supporting actor, if you can call him that in Frost/Nixon.

He has impressed me in everything I have seen him in and was definitely the best thing about new moon even if it was more like a cameo. When speaking about joining the Twilight Saga, Michael admitted that the whole fandom of it had not really effected him in the sense of people bothering him in the street with just one incident occurring (so far). I don’t really think it will have too much impact on his career and possibly will just make him more well-known . . . which hopefully would make people watch his previous film work and get to see how fantastic he really is.

Whilst on Graham Norton he seemed so down to earth and like nothing bothered him, although I have to admit that I did not realise he was Welsh?!? Maybe just not paying attention on my behalf or just that I had never seen him in a more relaxed interview, sitting alongside Dame Shirley Bassey.

One of his up and coming films will see him become Tony Blair again focusing on “The Special Relationship”  (2011) with Bill Clinton. Which yes I am very much looking forward to. I like Tony Blair and Bill Clinton, although I am finding it hard to imagine Dennis Quaid as Clinton.  He is also in Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” next year as the white rabbit.

Before entering the world of film, Michael spent a decade on the London stage, whilst having small roles in films. His first major film role had to be in Underworld (2003) opposite Kate Beckinsdale, in which he played a Werewolf, must not be many actors who have had portrayed a werewolf and a vampire. Kate Beckinsdale was a long time girlfriend of Sheen, they had a daughter together in 1999. They are no longer together.

I have to admit that each time I see Michael in a film I become more and more impressed with his acting abilities, I really hope this continues when I see his new films but also catching up on some of the older films which I have missed. My favorite role so far has to be in The Damned United as Brian Clough, he really brough ol’ big head back to life with such confidence and arrogance Cloughie had himself, which in my opinion really shows how talented Michael is to be able to bring him back to life.

How do you feel about Michael Sheen?

Do you think he is underrated?

Which is your favorite performance of his so far?

As it is now the 2nd of Decemeber, I have decided that the Christmas movie watching (and reviewing) along with top 10 lists all to do with Christmas movies can start. Sky Movies even has a Sky Christmas channel, which I have to admit that I thought would just have Christmas movies on it but far from it just movies you may watch to watch at Christmas possibly?

I also notices that theirs a Christmas 24 Channel which has Christmas movies on all day (and night) which are less known movies, which I may even give a watch every now and then. If the movie sounds good enough to watch . . . so watch this space.

Will you be watching many Christmas movies this year?

The first poster has been released for Iron Man 2, nothing much really on the poster . . . guess its more of a teaser poster than anything else. No names on it . . . not even the title just a number 2.

This is definitely a movie I am looking forward to in 2010.

Who else is looking forward to this movie?

I must start this review by saying this is the best film I have seen for quite a while, and I am hoping that I will continue to say that about films in the next couple of months as we move closer to awards season.

A frustrated man decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets one of his family’s killers free. He targets not only the killer but also the district attorney and others involved in the deal.

Clyde watches as his wife and daughter are murdered in front of him, knowing exactly who committed the murder. Yet his lawyer Nick decides against going to court and cutting a deal instead. The deal which actually sets the killer free, Clyde sees all of this and it takes him 10 years to figure out how to seek vengeance. Does Nick still believe that he made the right decision in regards to that case? Clyde has had a plan building up and on the day one of the men is eventually killed after being on death row for 10 years something goes terribly wrong, but who is to blame? The other man Clyde keeps for himself, subjecting him to an awful death, torturing him. But who would be next on his list? Even if he had been put in prison . . . as he begins to target all of the people who were involved in the case.

I have to admit that I was right into this film, paying full attention and enjoying the twists and turns it took all the way through and eventually saying ahhhh right I get that now at the ending which I will not spoil, and also which I did not see coming at all. (I was not really trying to guess the eventual outcome, I was just enjoying being lost in the film). The screening I was at on Friday night was full and everyone seemed to enjoy the film, laughing at the funny lines which must have been put in to take off some of the edge a film like this can have. People laughed and everyone jumped at one part, myself included . . . to which everyone then laughed because while it was obvious that something was going to happen, you had the uncertainty of not knowing what exactly was going to happen. Which I felt was very good in regards to storyline and action.

I guess the main talking points found in this film had to be does the justice system always serve a good purpose or do things slip through the net and therefore people get away with doing just horrible crimes or can they get away with it?

Performance wise I thought Foxx and Butler both put in very good performances and had good chemistry when on-screen together, especially when Clyde was getting inside Nick’s head and really winding him up. Foxx as the lawyer who’s morals have to change especially 10 years later he has a daughter and he knows he would have done exactly the same thing that Clyde had done. Colm Meaney is an actor I really enjoy seeing in different films, while he always seems to play the supporting role he does this very well. The reason I look out for him now is since seeing “Moon for the Misbegotten” in the West End a couple of years ago now, which he was in alongside Kevin Spacey.

So I really did enjoy this film because I found myself totally lost in the storyline and enjoying the twists and turns it took along the way.

Following the release of New Moon last week, and how successful at the box office it has been so far, the teaser poster for the next installment in the Twilight Saga . . . Eclipse has been released.

After waiting so long for even one poster for Nine, yet another has been released! Which I think is just great, the world premiere for Nine is in London next week on the 3rd of Decemeber. So it will be interesting to see which of the actors/actresses attend the premiere.

A film about the singer Tina Turner and how she rose to stardom with her abusive husband Ike Turner and how she gained the courage to break free.

This is such a powerful film to watch, everyone knows Tina Turner’s music and possibly know that she had an abusive relationship. While I don’t think its certain which parts of this are completely true to life, that really does not matter. As the hitting and abuse scenes are all horrible to watch and have to experience, especially knowing that he did beat her up quite a lot over the years. The rape scene had to be the worst to watch and I am sure people watching will feel the same way I did trying not to actually watch it as it was just awful.

Tina Turner/Anna Mae Bullock had such an awful life with her husband Ike Turner this film tracks her rise as a singer and the years of abuse she put up with. Until she decided to do something about it, hitting back at him was the start of leaving him and the divorce. That scene in the film when they fight in the car was a fantastic moment, seeing her hit him and give him some of his own medicine. Which may sound strange, but if you watch the film you will understand how brilliant the moment is as you really do feel so bad for her and that is all just fantastic in terms of him eventually getting punched/kicked etc.

Not only was the divorce the end of such an awful period of her life, it was also the start of a new type of music for Tina, with the final scene being her performance at the Ritz. With her new rock style ready to go, with the song “What’s love got to do with it” which was such a fantastic way to tie up the film. (I have not stopped listening to that song, since watching the film). Ike watching in the audience, he tried to tell her that it would not work and her fans would not like it. But such a fantastic way to start the next chapter of her life and career, and what a career it really has been and she is very much still going strong today, touring and releasing new albums. 

The film really does take you on an emotional rollercoaster which makes you just want to watch it ,as you know what happens in the end that she does go onto create a fantastic career for herself and getting away from Ike. It is still a journey to watch it, seeing how she managed to get through things and eventually break away.

Performance wise I really do think both Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne really deserved their Oscar Nominations for the leading roles of Tina and Ike Turner. As they really were just fantastic, I have not looked to see who won and who else was nominated in 1994, but the winners must really have been outstanding. As I do not think you will find better performances for a pairing like this. I suppose one way to really explain how good Laurence Fishburne was it will always make me look at him in a different way now!

Harry Brown (Caine) is an elderly man who loses his wife and best friend in the space of a few days. He decides to avenge his friend’s death by taking the law into his own hands sorting out the estate he lives on.

This film is definitely thought-provoking in the sense that you wonder how close all of this could be to happening in different places across the UK, and indeed what exactly is happening at the moment on the streets and if fear is a big factor in people’s everyday lives with unruly people around them.

“Hoodies” or “Chav’s” are usually unruly young people/teenagers in the UK. Not as extreme as in the film, but I am sure everyone who watches this and has seen these “hoodies” around will enjoy seeing them being shot and tortured in one of the scenes. Kinda getting what they deserve so to speak.

Michael Caine really does put in just a fantastic performance as Harry Brown. So many scenes which really cut through you, especially when he was too scared to use the under path because of the “hoodies” when he was rushing to the hospital to see his wife . . . and watching it you just knew he was not going to make it in time. Then the funeral scene for Len when you see loads of cars going past with Grandad on the flowers, then seeing Harry standing at the grave with the vicar knowing that was not his funeral that went past. Knowing that now Harry was alone and did not have anyone else to turn to really was heart breaking.

In order to find out who killed Len and in his attempts to get a gun leads us to seeing some drug use, which I have to admit was quite difficult to watch. This has to give some credit to the actors for the performances that were put into this film. Another thing which was difficult and annoying to watch was the way the hoodies spoke to the police in the interviews.

This film does not really paint the best picture towards the police, and how they would deal with things. Again is this in some parts based on the truth and then made worse for the film or is it more realistic than you would first think?

This film really does bring up some good talking points, and highlights somethings which could become or already be major issues. It is not the best film ever and has plot holes but these are not too bad. Caine’s performance pretty much makes this film well worth the watch.

Three posters have now been released for “Nine”. This really builds up the suspense of wanting to see this movie even more. I like all three of them, as they are all different, with different pictures of the actors on them.

I still see this as one of my favorite comedies and cannot believe it is now 9 years old, it really does not seem like it came out that long ago!

Meeting the parents is still seen as a big step in a relationship, even bigger for a man meeting the father of the woman he wants to marry. That must be intimidating, but what if that man was Robert De Niro ex-CIA and you want to marry his little girl this is not going to be an easy task. Especially when you are Ben Stiller and everything you touch/say/do seems to go wrong without even trying.

Greg Focker . . . yes you can see what they done their and how many jokes you can fling in just saying his name. He is a male nurse, who wants to marry Pam Byrnes. When he finds out her father Jack is the type of man who would want to be asked first, he plans to ask him before proposing. The couple stay at her parents for her sister’s wedding.

Greg really does try his best to impress the people he wants as his in-laws and family by making things up and inadvertently doing everything wrong. Loosing Jinx the family cat, flushing the toilet which does not work properly, setting everything on fire and pretty much so much damage before the wedding.

I think the main reason I still like this film so much is due to that it still makes me laugh. Yes a lot of it is silly and random but I think it’s a good way to totally release while watching a comedy. Especially when someone makes as many mistakes and cannot do anything right. Everyone can relate to doing things when they should not have.

Seeing Robert De Niro in a comedy and being daft really does make this so much more than other comedies. As he is not really an actor you expect to see in a comedy, especially when he holds the cat-like a baby when getting it back, that is not what you expect from De Niro. I think this does make his scenes funnier than if a different actor had taken on the role.

I always compare Ben Stiller in other comedies to this film and really don’t think he has put in a funnier performance. He was just brilliant as the helpless guy who just wanted to marry the woman he loved, with nothing going right for him.

I bet if a man who comes across a father like De Niro’s character in this film, really would want to run a mile and possibly think twice about wanting to marry his daughter (if they were not 100% sure of course). But it really does make for a funny comedy which will probably always be relevant in having to meet the parents.

I wonder which way round people find it worse? Being the man meeting her parents . . . or being the woman meeting his parents?

The second installment of what is now known as “The Twilight Saga” opened yesterday across the world in cinemas, and with my local cinema having 4 shows sold out at 11am, for the night-time showings this really is going to have some opening weekend taking across the UK. Reading mid-week that it has broken the records for most pre-ordered tickets for a movie.

Anyway . . . the second installment sees Edward leave Bella as it is not save for her to be around him and his family. All of whom she has grown to love, but after Jasper loses control when she cuts her finger on her birthday thats when Edward decides to leave her. However, he lies to her in saying that he does not want her anymore. Bella is left crushed and months pass by without her doing anything apart from going to school. That is until she decides to get two motorbikes and takes them to Jacob Black for him to fix them up.

This brings Bella and Jake extremely close becoming best friends. That is all at least in Bella’s eyes, however Jake feels slightly different. He fills the whole which Edward left. Bella does not seem to have much luck with the boys in her life, when Jake begins to act strange and it is revealed he is in fact a werewolf. But when Alice shows up and Edward is in danger, will Bella stay with Jake or go help Edward . . . this leads Bella to Italy to save him and an encounter with the Volturi, lead by Aro.

The ending with Edward and Jake talking to each other in the words with Bella between them was quite emotional, I felt more sorry for Jake after everything he had done to make Bella happy again. The first time Edward and Jake had been together after Edward left her. I thought it was good that Jake managed to control his anger for quite so long.

I think this film was a big improvement on “Twilight” and really did pick up in strength. The werewolves looked fantastic, really doing fantastic in size terms and how they moved. I was definitely impressed with this. Also I found the glittering of the Vampires looked much better in this, I don’t know if that is because we saw Edward at least glitter more but I just found it better than Twilight was.

I thought Michael Sheen as Aro was just so fantastic, creepy but brilliant in the short time in which he was on the screen. I wanted him to be in longer as he really did bring something else to it all. Dakota Fanning was also very evil as Jane, who has the ability to hurt people through their minds.

In comparison to the book, I found it to be a good adaptation and liked some small changes to help the movie flow better than if it was completely like the book as it would have been difficult to keep it all in. My only really concern was that we did not really get to know Jake very well, or see how him and Bella really got close, which was such a shame as that was most of the book. Also with this we did not see Bella spending a lot of time at La Push and on the reservation and becoming friends with Jacob’s brothers. I also really like the way in which they put in Harry’s heart attack with Victoria being the reason, with the wolves trying to catch her.

Overall, it was good and more action than Twilight had . . . Eclipse promises to have more action again !!! So bring on Eclipse next year.

Jane (Heigl) has been a bridesmaid 27 times and never close to being the bride. She is secretly in love with her boss Geroge (Burns). When her sister Tess (Akerman) shows up and ends up on the fast track to marrying George she cannot bear to stand by her side. Kevin (Marsden) is a reporter who writes about weddings and ends up writing a story about Jane . . .

This is pretty much your typical romantic comedy which is pretty easy to read and figure out which direction it is going in. What happens next is pretty obvious, with Jane being the I don’t really believe in love . . . it will never happen to me . . . in love with a guy who does not really notice her in that way. It really does have leading rom-com actress written all over it.

The unlikely guy being “the one” in the end after a lot of trauma, arguments and denial pretty much explains the majority of this film. It also has arguments between two sisters which I think gives a slightly different edge at times.

In the end when Jane could get the man she really wanted, she realised that he was not in fact the one for her and that the perfect guy for her had indeed been the one she did not like and did not want to be with straight away. So does this mean that you cannot always tell right away if you could actually be with someone? So the whole love at first sight thing, does not exist? But eventually getting to kiss the “man of her dreams” and realising that she felt nothing, this brings up another age-old question do you have to feel something in a kiss? Does it really help you know this person could be the one? I think feeling something in a kiss makes such a difference.

The last lines leading up to her eventual wedding mention something about all that matters is the person standing waiting for you at the end of the aisle. Which is definitely a thinking point, in theory nothing else about your big day should really matter as much as loving and wanting to be with the person waiting for you at the end of the aisle, right? Surely it has to be the most important thing, and if it is not the most important thing then should you really be marrying that person?

I really think I picked the wrong time to kinda watch this and attempt a review as  I have totally tried to take more out from the film than was ever probably intended. But I guess everything depends on your frame of mind when watching a film, and if you over think it all . . .

The first part of the very popular Vampire novel’s made it to the big screen. With a lot of attention and fandom before it had even been filmed this was always going to be a hit. But how would those who have not read the books see the films?

Before I get into this review I thought it would be best to state that I had read the book before seeing the film, and was therefore already consumed into the whole “Twilight Saga” and Edward Cullen. I have to admit that parts of the film must seem extremely random if you have not read the books, or even heard anything about the franchise.

The basic plot is Bella Swan moves to Forks to live with her dad Charlie, who is the chief of police in the small town. Bella’s world is turned upside down at school when she meets Edward Cullen. But there is something strange about Edward and the rest of the Cullen’s but what could it possibly be? After seeing a lot of different strange things and hearing a strange story Bella figures out that Edward is indeed a vampire. A vampire and a human being in love with each other is certainly going to cause some problems and it does when the Cullen’s are playing baseball with Bella watching and three other vampires pass through, but one of them James is a tracker therefore will hunt Bella down.

The reason why I think this film has to have parts which are strange if you have not read the book is little details such as Bella falling over and dropping things all of the time and pretty much being clumsy. This is described in more detail in the book. As well as the whole love story between the two, it looks rather quick in the film but it could not be as detailed as in the book. The main thing that myself and friends were waiting to see was how Edward glittered . . . and that did look good! The famous lines from the book “and so the lion fell in love with the lamb” and “you are my life now” must also look very intense and a little out-of-place the way they were worked into the film.

I have watched this film recently in build up for New Moon next week, and I am really right into the whole story again. It really is not the best film ever made. But I am guessing that the adaption from the book was tricker than expected. By the trailer’s it looks like New Moon will be on a higher level to this. It still had quite a lot of different themes across the film and managed to be quite funny at times with the way the lines were delivered.

I am still curious of how people who have not read the book, feel about this film? Did you find it too random or strange?

If you read the book, did you like the adaptation?

Another new poster for the much anticipated Alice in Wonderland movie has been released this one featuring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. This is my favorite poster so far, but I think more will be released.

Onto another weeks review!

Reviews

A Christmas Carol (2009)

Gypsy (1962)

How To Lose Friends and Alienate People (2008)

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)

Other

FlashForward – Episode 7

Alice in Wonderland Trailer

Bloggers

Katie at the Stories That Really Mattered posted about Jim Carrey being an underrated actor

MadHatter at Dark of the Matinee made an interesting post about Movie Snobs

Quite a lot of character pictures have been released for New Moon, with the familar characters from Twilight but the new additions to the story of New Moon.

This is the last of the New Moon picture posts . . . I promise!

Still have lots more New Moon pictures that I have not posted, and because I watched Twilight last night as more build up to next week .I decided to post more pictures.

Well my “New Moon” challenge did not last very long at all. I have to admit that it is because as with “Twilight” when I read that last year, these books the way they are written some how consume me. I cannot really completely explain why exactly but it just happens and I really do not want to put them down. So I have two more to read being “Eclipse” and “Breaking Dawn” which I am sure will be done in the next couple of weeks.

Well just the basic outline of some of the things that happen in this installment. Bella thinks that life is great, she has Edward Cullen her Vampire boyfriend. Everything is going to be fantastic and just be happily ever after right? Yeah right like that can happen when your boyfriend is a vampire. Some events happen and this forces the Cullen’s to all leave Forks and that means Edward leaves Bella. I have to admit that part really did break my heart, the way it was written. The way Edward told her that he did not love her anymore and did not want her (even though that was obviously a lie) but still. I did warn you that these books seem to consume me. It did hurt a lot when he left.

Months pass by, with nothing . . . pages of the book have the month’s on them and then another month. Until eventually she decides to try and snap out of her depression. This involves doing dangerous things, like a motorbike. Jacob Black is then brought into everything. She becomes best friends with him, while it is so obvious that he wants more. But then something happens to him and she does not seem him for a while, and cannot even manage to speak to him. Not another one with a secret? O yes but Jacob is a Werewolf, and he is in a pack now. The werewolf has an enemy, yes the vampire. You can see how this would be a problem.

Just as Bella is getting back on track with Jacob’s help, Alice turns up as she saw Bella jump off a cliff and wanted to see if she was dead or not. Edward had heard about this and decided he no longer wanted to live so travelled to Italy to ask the Voltari to kill him. Alice and Bella then proceed to go and stop him as the only thing that can change his mind is seeing Bella alive as he believes she is dead. Bella does manage to stop Edward but the Voltari might not be so forgiving this leads to some promises and deals being made in order for Alice, Edward and Bella being allowed to leave alive. One of those being that Bella has to become a vampire.

A lot of confusion for Bella when they travel back to Forks, she does not know if this is a chance to start things over with Edward or if this would be another ending. She calls for a vote amongst the Cullen’s in order to see who is for her becoming a Vampire and who is against it. Obviously Edward has always been against it . . . but will be always be against it?

The ending results in a conversation between Edward and Jacob, which it is so obvious how hurt Jacob is because of the whole situation that is in front of him. I have to admit that it all felt really wrong, for the fact that Bella had hurt Jacob a lot as he thought they could have more than just the friendship which was all Bella wanted. She seemed to use him a bit more than she should have, and when the chance with Edward was back it was pretty much goodbye Jacob . . . but can she not see her best friend anymore?

I actually liked the comparisons to Romeo and Juliet which was in “Twilight” as well as this book, so I enjoyed seeing the continuing pattern. I mean Romeo and Juliet is used so often as a bench mark type of thing to compare romance, which I always find a little strange I mean it has such a tragic ending. But still I like the use of it in this story.

It really is difficult to decide whether you are team Edward or team Jacob . . . is that the whole point? You as the reader are supposed to be as confused as Bella, with whom you are going to side with?

It really does hit some nerves with me whilst reading and gets me thinking about everything going on in my life. I am pretty sure be it love past, present or even a possibility in the future, reading this you can pick things out that can relate to that relationship or a specific person. You can relate so closely with how the characters are feeling as you have been though something similar.

Eclipse is next . . . watch this space!

Not forgetting the movie next week .  . . Now I really cannot wait.

I posted 4 “New Moon” pictures when they were released months ago now and have totally neglected to since post more . . . but reading “New Moon” (and almost being finished it) while also seeing loads of posters at the cinema yesterday has inspired me to post more in the build up to the release next week. Which I am so excited for now I totally got back into the book!

I really cannot wait !!!

Just come across the exclusive clip of Kate Hudson singing “Cinema Italiano” from “Nine” which is a movie I am so much looking forward to. So check out the video of Kate singing

A reporter(McGregor) attempting to head into Iraq might just have the story of a lifetime when he meets Lyn Cassady (Clooney), a guy who claims to be a former member of the U.S. Army’s First Earth Battalion, a unit that employs paranormal powers in their missions.

I avoided reading reviews for this movie before seeing it, but could not help but seeing a lot of low ratings in the stars and scores it had been given on reviews. But still I went in with an open mind not really sure what to expect from it and have to admit that I was rather disappointed. It was not as funny as the trailer had made it out to be, and most of the funniest moments were those in the trailer (not really a surprise anymore, as that seems to be the deal with comedies now we show you the funniest parts to get you to see the movie).

The performances from the leading/supporting actors were still very good despite the very weak and strange story. Kevin Spacey really stole the scenes he was in, he is definitely one of my favorite actors and I just love seeing him on the big scene. In quite a bad guy role again which is great, I thought in the limited number of scenes he was in with Clooney they bounced off each other very well.

The main story of the “men who stare at goats” was a special branch in the US Army who were trained to use their minds and referred to as Jedi’s because of this. It was an attempt to encourage a more peaceful army and make things better with peace and love. That they could pinpoint people without even having to leave a room. Lyn (Clooney) was the best Jedi, this made him look totally psycho to Bob (McGregor) a reporter who had heard his name mentioned in an interview before he left in an attempt to get a story from Iraq.

What exactly was wrong with this film, you may ask. It has to be the whole Jedi mind tricks thing they have going on. You cannot help but just think its way to off the page to even believe in a movie. That the soilders picked to be in the group when it was first developed had to be different and be able to use their minds more than most people. Being able to influence other people by “getting into their minds”. See I told you if was off the page . . .

Don’t get me wrong though some of the lines are rather amusing with some quite slapstick funny moments thrown in too. But the lines were funny because what they were saying was so stupid that you had to laugh. But hey its a comedy afterall imagine the disappointment if you came out of the movie and did not laugh? The actual moments which were funny involved falling off things and running/crashing into things, again if you have seen the trailer you have already seen a few of these moments.

I thought Clooney’s performance was also rather good, he was the main focus throughout the movie and pretty much ends up mainly about his rise and fall through the army and the new unit he was asked to join. But he can carry a movie, we all know that its Clooney!

Jeff Bridges really does amuse me, although does he always seem to be playing the same character with very slight differences? Or is that just me who thinks of him as “the Dude”?

I will not spoil why exactly it has the title of “The Men Who Stare at Goats” but I bet the title alone pulls people in to see it as it is so random, and I guess that the whole movie can go under the title of random . . .

Just come across the poster for Amy Adams up and coming rom-com “Leap Year” which involves a tradition of a woman proposing to a man . . .

Last night I eventually decided to continue reading “New Moon” my new found push being that the “New Moon” movie comes out next week. Of course it will not be difficult to read the book in a week. I mean since last night I have read 180 pages . . . so I could possibly be finished it over the weekend. I knew it would eventually consume me like Twilight did, were you totally do not want to put it down! I read Twilight in such quick time. I did originally start reading this straight after Twilight but got distracted with something else . . . I cannot even remember what. But I am back on track now and have Eclipse and Breaking Dawn waiting to be read as soon as I have finished New Moon.

So Far I have to admit that I am not Edward’s friend for leaving. He has totally broke my heart . . . Bare in mind that I had already read this part before. Yet reading it last night it really hurt and struck me, I suppose I do have my reasons. I cannot really stop reading it . . .

So the challenge will continue . . .

After seeing the new posters and mentioning seeing the trailer at the cinema the other day in 3D. I decided to go on a search on youtube to find the trailer and post in on my blog. I really do just love Johnny Depp the more and more I see him. I do find this trailer very teasing as you do not really get to see much (which is a plus) but it really leaves you wanting more.

What do you make of this trailer?

Are you looking forward to this movie?

The second theatre moment I am posting, is from the “Hey, Mr Producer” show which was in tribute to everything Cameron Mackintosh had done for musical theatre. This is “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” from Gypsy featuring Bernadette Peters, Julia McKenzie and Ruthie Henshall.

Two more posters have been released for Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland”. So the build up continues for what has to be one of the movies I really cannot wait to see. Especially after seeing the trailer before “A Christmas Carol” the other day.

This poster for Matthew Broderick’s up and coming movie has been released. By the pictures on the poster it looks like it could be interesting. Especially with the tagline “happiness is a state of mind”.

A British writer struggles to fit in at a high-profile magazine in New York

I have to admit that I did quite want to see this last year when it came out at the cinema. I cannot remember my reasons, but do remember hearing that it was not that good. I am not the biggest Simon Pegg fan and do not find him as funny as he is made out to be. I was rather disappointed with “Hot Fuzz”, any way I decided to give this film ago. My first points on it are that I can actually imagine English guys behaving in the way Pegg does when he moves to New York and the American’s not really getting his behaviour. I actually loved the singing of “England” when he was drunk and then falling off the small stage, but slightly embarrassed at the same time.

Sidney Young (Pegg) is the writer who is trying to fit into life at the New York magazine. I have to admit that the first night he gets there on the dance floor’s in a few bars is very amusing and meeting Alison (Dunst) practically straight away. Then finding out the next day that she also works at the magazine. However, over time no-one really likes Sidney and Alison is pretty much the only one who will talk to him. Obviously you can see where their friendship is going to go . . . But Sidney is “in love” with Sophie Maes (Fox) who is an up and coming actress breaking through into the big time, being nominated for awards and entering the spotlight. He really wants to be with her and eventually does get the chance but is she really who he wants?

While this was not as bad as I first expected it to be, it was still lacking something. I guess it was all pretty obvious the direction it was going in.

I always think movies about behind the scenes with actors/actresses and the whole celebrity phenomenon is quite risky as you do not actually know how true it is, and do you really want to know exactly what it is like behind the scenes? Somethings are often better off not being known. You do not know how tongue in cheek they may or may not be.

I cannot really see this being a movie I will want to see again very soon. It did not really pull me into it with anything in particular.

The other day I posted this blog Cineworld: 3D Price Change however after going to see A Christmas Carol in 3D on Monday. I read the news article on the cineworld website wrong. It is still cheaper than before . . . only if you take your glasses back and not by much really.

It is 1.90 for adults if you have 3D Glasses

1.30 for Unlimited and Children

The 80p is extra on top of those prices for those who need to buy 3D glasses.

So, I was totally wrong in my last blog as it is not really that much cheaper.