Doctor Strange

Benedict Cumberbatch recently toppled Robert Downey Jnr, as Doctor Strange brought in a record $600 million for Marvel, which is the highest ever recorded for a solo film. Before its release there were doubts about just how successful the movie would be. Strange certainly isn’t a well-known character or anywhere near as marketable as the other heroes that Marvel have rights too.

So what makes the film quite so good? When the movie was announced, marvel movie goers were still wondering just who could pick up Thor’s hammer, however, Benedict Cumberbatch is traditionally exceptional in performing Dr Stephen Strange. But the real highlight is some of the mind bending visual effects which truly light up the film. The visual effects team have already been touted for an Oscar nomination. It might not be the best Marvel movie, but it has a slightly darker tone which the audience has been crying out for. Considering that first Marvel film came out in 2008, fans of the franchise are starting to grow up. This was the perfect timing for a slightly experimental film.

It has all the usual bells and whistles, packed with action and explosions, but what really bends the mind is some city altering Inception style graphics. It’s eye poppingly fantastic and Cumberbatch settles in seamlessly.

Strange starts off as a surgeon, a man of science. Strange starts off as a bit arrogant, he has become wealthy and successful and is more than comfortable with his lifestyle, but like so many superhero films, there’s a terrible accident. He then travels to Nepal, where he goes on a mind-bending journey to discover his unleash his powers. He soon turns into a Tudor coat, goaty bearing, astral plane sorcerer. He learns his technique from a cult leader called the ‘ancient one’ who is played by Tilda Swinton, who absolutely pulls off the bald look. He must master the techniques of sorcery in order to defeat Kaecilius, a former student of the Ancient One, who has moved over to the ‘dark side.’ (Nothing like Star Wars)

I’m certainly one for training montages and Doctor Strange nails it. It reminds me somewhat of the Matrix, with incredible effects combined with Kung Fu, magic wielding. Stephen Strange is well and truly taken down the Rabbit Hole and goes on a journey, which is destined for far greater things than the simple job of surgery.

For Marvel fans, it will undoubtedly be a must see, however, for casual comic book fans who are unsure about tackling an unorthodox Marvel movie, it is still well worth a watch. We hope to see Dr. Strange once again in Avengers Infinity war, as we attempt to see as many of the Marvel cast as possible. 

Independence Day Resurgence

Twenty years after the global catastrophe of the first alien invasion they’re back again. Things have changed on Earth, we are now suited up with alien gear and technology, meaning better guns and faster planes. But twenty years on, it’s the 4^th July and naturally they come. And come bigger!

The aliens come back armed with a 3,000-mile sized ship and start causing havoc. The ship is so massive it has its own gravity, on arrival it rips up London and then casts it onto Shanghai, really quite extraordinary! The only shame is the England football team don’t go along with them!

It’s great to see the old team back together and tackling the invasion for a second time. It’s back to the old style nostalgia of the 90s without trying to take it too seriously. Jeff Goldblum still hates flying despite being leader of the alien defence technology. Brent Spiner returns as the goofy old professor, who’s a bit of a crack pot. But one of the most satisfying scenes is seeing Bill Pullman pull on his old pilot gear. He manages to nail the part of old president still suffering with a bit of PTSD from the first alien invasion. Perhaps the only thing missing is the presence of Will Smith. Dylan Hiller tries to emulate the ‘close encounter’ line, but just can’t pull it off quite the same, although I doubt there are many who can!

Although there are plenty of old fogies, there’s also a bunch of new hero earth defenders introduced. Liam Hemsworth plays the role of maverick Jake Morrison who is engaged to Maika Monroe the president’s daughter. It is a shame really that the two sets of the cast don’t have more interaction together. Apart from a few obligatory father daughter scenes, they barely cross paths.

In terms of story line, there are a few weaknesses. The aliens have brought their mother ship, and along with it the queen. Her plan is simple, drill a hole to the bottom of the earth and suck up the core in order to power their ships and push along their technology. Simple right?

However, there is a way to stop her. A little white ball which looks conveniently similar to an Apple product is the key. Stored in this white ball is the knowledge of hundreds of other civilisations who have been wiped out by the aliens. It holds the secret to greater technology and a strategy to stop them.

Queen mother of the aliens obviously knows this and tries to destroy it, in it’s safe keeping at area-51. It is there the trap is laid and surprise, surprise Liam Hemsworth saves the day!

It’s a good film which is well worth a watch. Some of the visual effects are outstanding and like Goldblum says. ‘They always get the landmarks.’

My Rating: 7/10

Directors: Roland Emmerich     Cast: Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Maika Monroe, Dylan Hiller, Brent Spiner

Race

A brilliant story of the incredible journey young Jesse Owens made, to compete at the 1936 Olympics. The American faces racism, injury trouble and persecution in his attempt for a gold medal.

It is a very significant story. Black athlete Jesse Owens boldly goes to the Nazi-hosted Olympics, despite the rein that Hitler is beginning to enter into. Not only does Owens face persecution by Nazis, but also racist Americans. It is a fantastic subject matter for a film, yet it somehow feels like film makers were intimidated by the subject matter. It is full of incident yet it lacks focus and sharpness. A film about a sprinter yet relatively slow paced.

With Rio 2016 just on the horizon it was a great time to release the film. However, maybe it was a curse. The film seems rushed in some areas, failing to focus on the really important factors that troubled Owens during his sprinting career.

The slow pace is very easy to notice during the first half of the film. Owens background is drawn out for far too long, detailing his poverty-stricken upbringing, and his trouble relationship with a beautician. Jason Sudeikis is brilliant in his role, despite it being somewhat too mature for him. The film has too many clichés. Montague’s, voiced over letter writing, rain during sad moments. Each moment feels like a trailer for a drama film.

Things do pick up towards the second half of the film. The tension racks up as the Nazis enter into the picture, and finally the film turns into the sprint it should be. There is a fantastic political tussle, Owens at one point is clearly snubbed by Hitler. ‘Traffic’ he says. One of the lamest excuses in the history of excuses.

We finally get some heart rendering moments in Race’s final moments. When Owens enters into the stadium it is goose pimpling stuff. It is brilliantly shot and shows what the film should have been more about. It’s a shame it took so long to get there.

There is no doubting that some of the camera work is terrific. There are some beautifully shot scenes, with some surprisingly good and serious acting by John Boyega.

It’s a great true-life story, which only really shows the good stuff at the end which we all knew about anyway. Still well worth a watch. With the Olympics coming up, it’s a great history insight, into one of sport’s greatest ever athletes.

My Rating: 7/10

Directors: Stephen Hopkins     Cast: John Boyega, Jason Sudeikis, Stephan James, Jeremy Irons, Shanice Banton

Captain America 3: Civil War

Possibly the best film so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. You literally get everything a comic book feature length asks for. It has bone crunching fight scenes, explosions and even a little bit of romance.

Things all start when Crossbones, (The guy who had a fight with falcon in CA 2) is trying to steal a bio-hazardous weapon. The newly formed Avengers, Cap, Black Widow, Scarlet Witch and Falcon storm the building and managed to stop the weapon getting stolen. However, predictably there is a lot of collateral damage.

The world decide they have had enough and the United Nations want someone to be held accountable for all the damage the Avengers have done over the past years. They create the Sokovia Accords. Which is a registration for everyone who is ‘enhanced.’ Robert Downey Jnr plays a more downbeat Iron Man who is struggling to cope with the collateral loss he has caused. So he is more than willing to sign up. Cap on the other hand is worried about the agenda of some people, he believes that whilst they are signed up, they will be in someone else’s control which means they can be controlled and used for the wrong reasons. It all sounds very noble and patriotic, but it’s also a bit naïve really. 

  

But after one half of the group don’t sign up things become a bit tense. They are then made even worse, when Bucky Barnes is framed for an attack on the United Nations, which means everyone is after him. Cap is trying to help him, whilst the others are trying to hunt him down. Things hardly go swimmingly and the group find themselves at cross-roads as Cap and the Winter Soldier must escape. The fight scene between six heroes is something rather spectacular. The introduction of Spider-Man is brilliant and Tom Holland nails the character. Paul Rudd as Ant-Man also manages to bring humour to the whole thing and makes it a more entertaining boxing match. Both Cap and Iron Man have good points when it comes to choosing a side and whether or not they should sign, which hardly makes one side good and one side bad.

Despite the title being Civil War, there is still a protagonist in the film. Zemo is the man behind the scenes pulling the strings and setting the Avengers against each other. Who needs a big thumping villain when you can have Iron Man vs Captain America, Hawkeye vs Black Widow, Vision vs Scarlet Witch or Spider-Man vs Ant-Man.

Arguably Marvels best ever film. There I said it. As Marvel keep churning out more merchandise, more PlayStation games even an Thor gets a casino game, let’s just hope they keep making good films.  

My Rating: 9/10

Directors: Shane Black     Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jnr, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Sebastian Stan 

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice

Arguably one of the most hotly anticipated movies of the year. Batman V Superman has had almost a years’ worth of marketing and was billed as a blockbuster of epic proportions. Despite not getting massive critical acclaim, the film has amassed $700 million in it’s opening weeks.

What we really get from the film is exactly what the title says. We start with a flashback, showing the destruction of Metropolis by Superman and General Zod, we see Bruce Wayne running into the rubble before glimpsing Supe, giving him evils from a distance. Here his hate of Superman begins.

A rugged grey haired dark knight. Ben Affleck portrays a Batman rid of his morality and mercy, torturing and branding the criminals he puts away. Clark Kent on the other hand couldn't be less sure of what he should be doing. Half of Metropolis are blaming him for the destruction of the city and the other half calling him their saviour.

The motions are set in play for the two giants to do battle, but behind it all is the scheming Lex Luthor. Jesse Eisenberg plays a Mark Zuckerberg gone mad, t-shirts, basketball but at the end of it simply an evil mastermind. Eisenberg has been heavily slated for his portrayal of Luthor, and there is no doubting that he is a required taste. However, I think he does a reasonably good job.

It’s a rather gloomy film and in an era which DC and Marvel are facing off against each other, BVS is definitely loosing on the witticism front. The only joke that seems to be made, is a reference to the ‘Joker.’ DC comics are generally known to be darker, however, and this fits the setting of the film.

It’s in the final hour or so that the film really kicks off. Ben Affleck had his own personal battle with Henry Cavill before the film about who had the best physique and they both get an opportunity to show off. We see Bruce Wayne going nuts with weights and gearing up all his high tech weaponry. He then faces off against Superman in the slums of Gotham in an all crashing and bashing boxing match. The duel between the two, is really only the start though. After a quick kiss and make up the two match up with Wonder Woman to take on the marauding Doomsday who seems to have been thrown in as an excuse for more carnage.

BVS also managed to nicely set up the expanded universe which will see the Justice League introduced. They did in a few minutes what Marvel managed in a few years. Viewers got a glimpse at Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg. Wonder Woman had already made her presence felt and even helped out in the final scenes.  

With Batman spinoffs coming out just about everywhere, game, casino, TV will BVS be just another blotch on his cape or will it set up a bright future for the DC expanded universe?

My Rating: 8/10

Directors: Zack Snyder     Cast: Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jesse Eisenberg, Lawrence Fishburn, Amy Adams    

The Revenant

Alejandro Gonazalez Inarittue has caused a storm at this year’s Oscars with his epic ‘The Revenant.’ The film has been nominated for an astonishing 11 awards including the coveted best picture award. Shot only on location, is it fair to say that visually the audience witnesses something unique.

Based on a true American story. We follow Hugh Glass through the North Wilderness of Dakota and Montana, as he and his hunting party try to earn their crust collecting animal pelts. After a near miss with the Indian Arikara tribe, things go from bad to worse as Glass is savaged by a bear, breaking his leg.

Glass is soon abandoned in the woodlands of Dakota. The two men who were ordered to stay with him soon leave. He then faces a fight for his life, as he attempts to his avenge his son. In a fight against nature we see the power of human will, as he drags himself to safety. 

The film gives a very real view into the history of Indian tribes in America. Perfectly portraying how life was then. But where are the Arikara tribe today? To date they remain one of three officially recognised tribes in North Dakota, still living in the reserve Fort Berthold. Like many other Native American tribes, they soon followed into the gambling industry, building the 4 bears Casino in New Town.

As we celebrate the incredible movie that is 'The Revenant'. The Arikira tribe who feature in the film, have been on an enormous journey. It is quite astonishing when you think of Native Americans scalping people, to now being part of the casino industry and one growing at an astonishing economical rate.

A fantastic watch and well worth it's Oscar. Leo Di Caprio finally got that little golden award and takes his place in movie history!

.

My Rating: 9/10

Directors: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarittue     Cast: Leonardo Di Caprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, Dohmnall Gleeson, 

Wade's Word is back and giving you the ins and outs of Kick Ass 2

Kick Ass 2

Where do I begin with this! Undoubtedly a good laugh as some of the things you see just seem absurd. The film manages to goofy up comic book superheroes and cut down how serious and heavy some of those films are, just as the first Kick Ass did. I mean what super villain is called the 'Mother Fucker!'  The film carries on three years from the first Kick Ass and not too much has changed. Mindy Macready aka hit girl is carrying on from where she left off, a  15 year old girl battering drug dealers. Despite her heroic actions, her adoptive father Marcus wants her to sheath the double ended up blade. On the other hand Dave Lizewski aka Kick Ass can't seem to be able to live a normal life after jet packing up a sky scraper and shooting a drug lord with a bazooka! So he teams up with Justice-Forever, lead by the brilliant Colonel Stars and Stripes, played by an enigmatic Jim Carey.

The whole idea of Kick Ass 2 I feel was to escalate the first one, there are far more self righteous vigilantes who just want to do good and make a difference, as there are more hilarious over the top bad guys! Christopher Mintz-Plasse manages to bring a nerdy Mclovin style of performance, as you get the feeling he's not really cut out for it at the beginning still living with 'Mommy' however, as the film progresses, Mintz-Plasse becomes more obsessively evil.

The film is refreshingly different and although it's a little bit controversial, it has stayed true to the original comic books it was based on. Some of the scenes are purely golden and the really did have me in stitches. Despite Kick Ass 2 not quite living up to the brilliance of the first one, it's still a very watchable film!

My Rating: 7/10

Directors: Jeff Wadlow     Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Iain Glen, Jim Carrey, Lyndsy Fonseca, Morris Chestnut

Argo

Ben Afflecks first real film as a rookie director has seen his stock in Hollywood rise massively! After directing the Town (Which was horrific) he has made a smart, classy stylish movie and despite casting himself as the main character he hardly sets it up to make himself look good. Argo is a fantastic film, with some real nail biting moments that keep you from sitting still with tension!

The story of Argo is about an unorthodox CIA agent named Tony Mendez, who helps Americans vacate hostile foreign countries using all sorts of elaborate schemes. The film itself is based on Mendez own testimony, however, as with all spy films based on true events, it comes with a pinch of salt. The story itself is so unbelievable and compelling. It is an intriguing piece of declassified secret history about a CIA sponsored bogus film.

In 1979 six American officials managed to escaped the US embassy in Tehran (Iran) just before it was overrun by an Iranian mob! The Iranian's were angry as their former Shah and dictator who ran the country with an iron fist, had been given residence in the US. The six officials who managed to escape, take safety in the Canadian ambassadors home, where they are constantly on edge and can't leave the house. The CIA are set the task of getting them out!

Mendez manages to persuade his colleges to embark on a crazy scheme in which the CIA bankroll a fake Sci-fi movie called Argo. The idea behind this, being to take six Canadian passports and then pass the US officials off as a film crew scouting out possible movie locations for the film Argo. Mendez makes it look impossibly real, by getting a Hollywood producer (Alan Arkin) in on the act as well as a makeup technician (John Goodman.) He also makes them stage a fake script reading in an LA hotel. What Mendez essentially does is what a real producer would do in Hollywood despite the fact that that the movie is never going to be made. But that's what happens to most script's in Hollywood, they get kept in a dusty box.

The fact that the movie is well paced and uncomplicated makes it more enjoyable and realistic. Because the film is non-fiction, it just makes you think of the reality and you almost put yourself in their shoes, it makes the film more tense.

Argo won an array of awards at the BAFTAS and the Oscars, including the big one of best film. Ben Affleck and Alan Arkin were also nominated for their acting roles. The film is really very good and definitely deserved to be nominated, however, personally I would have gone for Django Unchained for best film!

My Rating: 8/10

Directors: Ben Affleck    Cast: Alan Arkin, Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Christopher Denham, Clea DuVall, John Goodman, Kerry Bishe, Rory Cochrane, Scoot McNairy, Tate Donovan, Victor Garber

Silver Linings Play Book

When I first saw this advertised I thought it was going to be a boring romantic love story, a film similar to 'Dear John' or 'The LuckyOne' (I'm still owed at least 2 hours of my life back for watching those!) I also thought what is Bradley Cooper the star of 'The A-Team' and 'Limitless' doing in a film like this? I take it all back. It's somewhat of a rom-com, but is edgy and quirky dealing with mental health issues and depression. David O Russell is famously a temperamental director, but he has pulled a good one out of the bag with this rom-com that's almost not a rom-com but also not a chic-flick. It is a very likeable film, with a cast that makes you feel like you're in good hands and it should be a good film. (Rob DeNiro, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence were all nominated for Oscars, only Jennifer Lawrence won)

Bradley Cooper plays the part of Pat, a recent divorcee who is coming to grasps with the fact he has bipolar. Pat is determined to prove to everyone he is getting his life back on track and desperate to prove to his ex wife that they are meant to be together. Sadly though it is clear to everyone this is not the case and you have to feel sorry for him. It is also plainly clear he will never get back with his wife. I can understand why Bradley Cooper was nominated for an Oscar for this part, he plays it perfectly, over enthusiastic, over confident and someone who will speak their mind no matter what the situation.

Jennifer Lawrence produces a performance beyond her years, it is hard to believe she is only 23, she starred in the teenage film 'The Hunger Games' last year playing a 19 year old. She plays Tiffany a widow to a local police officer, who now has issues with intimacy and trust. As well as loosing her job she has a few boundary issues after sleeping with everyone in her office! In the scene when Bradley Cooper hears this, his jaw practically hits the floor! It is obvious that the pair are meant to be together, the issues that they have mean that there is an equilibrium and they fit well.

The movie is a rom-com but slightly less com than rom, it is easy to guess what will happen, but then again it always is. It is a well paced enjoyable movie, there is also an obvious on screen chemistry between Lawrence and Cooper despite the 15 year age difference. Rob DeNiro also has his usual presence around him and his on screen relationship with Cooper is very good. 

 My Rating: 7/10

Directors: David O Russell    Cast: Anupam Kher, Bradley Cooper, Chris Tucker, Jacki Weaver, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Stiles, Robert De Niro

Skyfall

Now this review is a little bit late, but that is partly due to the fact that I didn't jump on the Skyfall bandwagon straight away. After seeing the film I'm somewhat regretting it!

By far the best bond film of the Daniel Craig era, and possibly the best in the bond series 50 year tenure. 007 becomes more of a rugged and rogue spy in Skyfall, compared to the old days when you had Rodger Moore Cracking wise ones and Sean Connery coming out of a fight without a scratch on him. I feel as though the James Bond franchise has finally come to the right mix between extravagance and realism (You only have to think of the invisible car in Die Another Day). Daniel Craig has finally given us the perfect spy, and finally someone you believe who could be out in the 'field.' He still has the style and manner of a James bond and can still make those sarcy comments, but he also has the stacked upper body of someone who you believe would win a fight!

As good as Daniel Craig is as bond, Judi Dench also puts in a fantastic performance as the big one, 'M.' As you see the development of James Bond and how his spy character has changed slightly, M has done the same. In previous Bond films M has been too light hearted and we haven't seen enough of her, she has been too staged too scripted compared to the steely, unforgiving  M we have seen in the latest films. As the big don she manages to keep her thumb on the double-O boys, she treats them mean, to keep them keen and in return she is rewarded with passion and loyalty. Or complete resentment and hate in the case of the villain. Judi Dench captures this act perfectly. In one scene she is being slated by the Prime Minister, but shows no fear and manages to hold a cold iron stare.

The film kick-starts with an energetic chase scene in Turkey, involving the extravaganza of a bond film, where he tears through half a train without a seconds doubt! However, he ends up with a bullet in his chest and falling off a train, this pulls you into the film immediately before Adele enters with the credits.

With any bond film you need a good villain and Silva (Javier Bardem) more than lives up to the part. A former agent who worked under M, he puts in a chilling performance and moves away from the bond villains who were obsessed with money and power, stroking a pussy cat!

Skyfall all round was a fantastic film, energizing, emotional and British, it was great to see some traditional locations, in comparison to the films of old, where there was a secret volcano lair!

My Rating: 7.5/10

Directors: Sam Mendes    Cast: Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw, Berenice Marlohe, Dame Judi Dench, Daniel Craig, Helen McCrory, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Naomie Harris, Ola Rapace, Ralph Fiennes, Rory Kinnear

Django Unchained

When I first watched Django Unchained I was simply blown away! Easily an early contender for movie of the year. It goes somewhere 21st century Hollywood producers are scared to look, they refuse to even look at the slavery idea due to its sensitivity. After watching one of Tarantino's first films (From Dusk Till Dawn) I thought he must have been raised by the Munsters! However he was able to come out with two classics in Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, immediately becoming a household name. Django, however, is by far his masterpiece. After the semi disappointment of Inglorious Basterds, he has come back with this brilliant, brutal, ball busting western classic!

Set two years before the American civil war when slavery was at its worst, Tarantino takes us into the cruel, unforgiving story of Django. A slave who whilst being transported across Texas comes into meeting with a mysterious German, Dr King Schultz, who is played fantastically with swagger, audacity and cheek by Christopher Waltz. Claiming to be a dentist Schultz promises Django his freedom in order for a favour: tracking three slave traders with whom he has problems with.

Jamie Foxx manages to capture Django's character with absolute perfection, you see his progression from being stared at whilst on a horse, to being known as the fastest gun in the west. (His gun skills do seem to improve rather drastically) Leonardo Di Caprio is equally as impressive playing the grey toothed, ignorant Candie, but doesn't have the same on screen presence and charisma as Foxx does playing Django, who manages to carry off the cowboy style with an ultimate swagger.

Samuel L Jackson received a lot of accolade for his performance of Stephen. The loyal servant to his white master, who you feel has played dirty and cheated his way to position of the 'favourite servant.' You feel as though the part of Stephen was made for Jackson who has a deathly stare and that terrible Parkinson's- type tremor. He also manages to deliver the N-word with more presence than anyone else saying it and everyone is saying it! Tarantino has managed to make the perfect bad guy with Stephen, not the white master who you expect it off, but a 'mandingo' someone who is involved in the trading of fighter slaves.

Django Unchained is one of the best films I have ever seen, it is in my top 5! It has a fantastic storyline and certainly opens your eyes to the terrible time of Western slavery. You have to give enormous credit to Quentin Tarantino, for making such a good film about a delicate subject, even dealing with a controversial issue like the KKK to make it seem so light hearted. he has some balls!

My Rating: 10/10

Directors: Quentin Tarantino    Cast: Amber Tamblyn, Bruce Dern, Christoph Waltz, Don Johnson, James Russo, Jamie Foxx, Jonah Hill, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kerry Washington, Kurt Russell, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Carradine, Samuel L Jackson, Zoe Bell

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

For some untold reason when JRR Tolkien was marking exam papers for the now defunct school certificate, he came across a blank piece of paper...... and he wrote 'In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.' Be thankful he did! 

This first line in the children's book the hobbit has become a literary masterpiece,  leading into a massive industry, giving us a fantastic trilogy of books and films revolving around life in Middle-earth.

Peter Jackson returns to his roots for the hobbit. After the incredible journey of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy he was set, he could have retired and been a hero for life, but luckily for us he carried on. Modernising King Kong and creating the emotional masterpiece of The Lonely Bones. The Hobbit I think is his best all round film, having all the traditional Jackson qualities, a panoramic screen shot, a heroic non main character, but most of all a fantastic journey.

We start off with Bilbo writing his book on the day of his birthday, nicely linking in with the Fellowship Of The Ring. He then tells us the story of Erebor the great dwarf city and how the dwarves themselves were cast out by the dragon Smaug. This gives us the background for the great quest and the reason Bilbo goes on his great adventure. Bilbo is not easily convinced though, like most hobbits he enjoys having a smoke, a pint of ale and eating. It is only due to the wise words of Gandalf he goes on his journey. The dwarves who go on the journey with Bilbo make the film much more light hearted, singing, laughing and having a good time, but altogether they show heart and determination to get their homeland back. It was also good not to hear a twangy American accent, meaning all the dwarves and characters had rustic Celtic and Brittish accents.

The film as a whole is much less sinister than Lord Of The Rings and much more family orientated, however, the book was written for children. Martin Freeman sums this up by performing as Bilbo. When I first heard he was cast I didn't think it would work, but due to the nature of the film he portrays Bilbo magnificently. Ian Mckellen gives his usual brilliance in a much more light hearted Gandalf and Richard Armitage effectively manages to turn Thorin Oakenshield into a dwarvern version of Aragorn. I thought the film was fantastic, having all the characteristics to make a good movie, which the whole family can watch. It got the Wade stamp of approval and I would give it an 8/10!

Directors: Peter Jackson    Cast: Aidan Turner, Andy Serkis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Billy Connolly, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Elijah Wood, Evangeline Lilly, Hugo Weaving, Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Martin Freeman, Orlando Bloom, Richard Armitage, Sir Ian McKellen, Stephen Fry

American Pie The Reunion

The reunion starts 14 years from high school nicely skipping over the two sequels they made, and as the advertising poster says 'Save The Best Piece For Last.' They certainly did! As all the American Pie's start off, someone is masturbating, classically Jim, managing to get himself into a sticky situation injuring his captain! Despite the fact he has grown up now married to Michelle with a 2 year old toddler.

In 1999 we had pervy teenagers managing to get themselves in situations with beautiful girls now we have pervy adults managing to get themselves in situations with beautiful girls. All the guys have grown up and as Stifler puts it 'Done All the Boring Stuff.' Aka getting jobs and getting married.

But the film is still a classic American Pie with the guys getting themselves into bad situation's but coming out of them better off. Jim's Dad (Eugene Levy) stealing the show as he plays a much bigger part in this one.

For me it has a bit of everything, it holds sentiment, and at the end even Stifler manages to get his revenge, I won't tell you how but I'm sure you can guess! 

This is just an interview I did with someone after watching the film

My Rating: 7/10

Directors: Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz    Cast: Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Eugene Levy, Jason Biggs, Jennifer Coolidge, Mena Suvari, Seann William Scott, Tara Reid, Thomas Ian Nicholas

The Avengers

Hollywood's first major comic book adventure, Avengers Assembled managed to smash its way to history at the time, becoming the biggest box office hit, making $200.3 million in it's opening weekend! I can understand the big hype considering the build up. Little hints have been left at the end of each of the solo movies, but simply, I just thought it was ok!

Undoubtedly Robert Downey Jnr steals the show, he is the only one who manages to have a light hearted approach to the whole situation, even against the stiff's like Captain America and Thor. Thor who I don't even think should be there, at least all the others have plausible explanations for their abilities or suits of armour, where as Thor is a Demi-God what's he doing there, he's meant to be an ancient Norse God!

Although the action scenes are really cool, I watched the whole film thinking it was lacking something, it seemed predictable and stale, Loci is also a terrible bad guy! All the avengers pretty much take him down on their own and he's basically a massive wimp! In one scene the Hulk just picks him up and smashes him around like a rag doll which is funny but just shows that Loci is basically a massive girl.

Despite the lack of enjoyment I had watching The Avengers, it has been one of the biggest films of all time, it beat Harry Potter which got $169.2 in its opening weekend. Avengers is just the beginning in terms of the other Marvel films which are coming out The Amazing Spiderman comes out on the 3rd of July and The Dark Knight Rises on the 20th so were waiting for a superhero summer!

Admission prices have got more expensive in Hollywood so films often find they make more money but end up selling fewer tickets. Avengers has undoubtedly had the greatest debut though!    

My Rating: 6.5/10

Directors: Joss Whedon    Cast: Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Cobie Smulders, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Stellan Skarsgard, Tom Hiddleston

Battleship

I think I fell into the big hype of this film, it looked so promising! The trailer was great the cast looked pretty descent, however, it was pretty much a massive let down, it reminded me so much of Transformers which I suppose was expected considering it was the same producers. The first of the Transformers franchise was brilliant, unfortunately I cannot say the same about Battleship. Like the latter two Transformers Battleship just seemed a bit ridiculous and a bit over the top!

The film is pretty cool and I really like the idea of it, but it was pretty much just a 2 hour battle, with Rihanna trying to look as sexy as possible whilst getting drenched, and every 5-10 seconds something happening in slow mo. If you liked Transformers 2 and 3 then I would say go for it but otherwise, its definitely not a must see!

My Rating: 6/10

Directors: Peter Berg    Cast: Alexander Skarsgard, Brooklyn Decker, Griff Furst, Hamish Linklater, Jesse Plemons, Josh Pence, Liam Neeson, Rihanna, Stephen Bishop, Tadanobu Asano, Taylor Kitsch

The Hunger Games

Well I thought this was brilliant, I know it was based on a book but I think the idea is fantastic. In an age when reality TV is a big thing and were falling in love with people's on screen personality's, this battle royale film, where the idea of having to kill the others to survive for sport, is genius!

In North America the entire land is traumatised by lack of food. Once a year they lottery off 24 people to fight in a competition to the death, where there is only one winner! The whole idea of the show has been created in order to stop other people being violent due to food shortages across America

At first the contestants are terrified at the thought of what lies ahead, facing each other in a contained woodland, but they are brought to the futuristic metropolitan area in the pre-contest time where they become stars and are groomed to perfection to gain the good thoughts of the public.

Among the contestants is the tough, level-headed Katniss Everdeen (Jenifer Lawrence) aka the star of the show, who volunteered herself in order for her younger sister to be exempt from the competition. It is with her that the twist in the tale happens, she learns that Peeta Melark (Josh Hutcherson) has feelings for her and ratings go off the roof and there is call for a rule change.

I think the idea of the hunger games is fantastic, it was a brilliant film and I think people will really be able to relate to it.

My Rating: 7.5/10

Directors: Gary Ross    Cast: Alexander Ludwig, Elizabeth Banks, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hucherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Woody Harrelson, josh hutcherson

Wrath Of The Titans

There are 3 ways you can tell if a film is good before it comes out. Number 1 the company's who back the film. Number 2 the actors who's name you actually remember, not like the guy with the beard from The Hangover. Number 3 when you go to watch a film but your looking forward to one certain trailer. This is how I felt about Wrath Of The Titans, the second following on from Clash Of The Titans.

It was a cool film! Sam Worthington is more bad ass in this one he hasn't got a shaved head which definitely doesn't suit anyone Greek, but he pretty much just seems to go around battering everyone despite the fact he's only half God! The story line, however, is not brilliant Hades (Ralph Fiennes) captures his brother Zeus (Liam Neeson) and Mr Worthington has to rescue him. All in all the film is plain simply cool and the action sequences are fantastic, Certainly worth a watch!

My Rating: 6/10

Directors: Jonathan Liebesman    Cast: Bill Nighy, Danny Huston, Edgar Ramirez, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Rosamund Pike, Sam Worthington, Toby Kebbell 

21 Jump Street

I think the guys who produced this may have been very drunk and started reminiscing about old classics. This one is a feature length version of the cop show in the late-80s which launched Johnny Depp on his road to success, which might explain his late cameo at the end which I wonder how many millions he got paid to do! A very much immature but lovable film starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill not a mix I would have expected. I wasn't expecting much out of Channing Tatum for a role like this seeing as I can only think of him in the uber chic flick Dear John but he proved me wrong!

Mortal enemies in school, as Jump Street mocks several stereotypes Tatum, the obvious fit for a jock and Hill the nerd, but then classically in a police academy kind of fashion they join forces to help each other out, Hill doing the brainy stuff and Tatum helping him to work out.

It is genuinely a really good comedy, some of things just have you laughing till it hurts. The pair start out their career as cops on bicycle's busting kids for feeding the ducks and rescuing Frisbees from the tree's, how ridiculous is that. After being the worst cops imaginable arresting people without knowing the Miranda Rights, they get sent to high school as under cover cops for being young and stupid, where they must infiltrate a drug ring. In high school, however, they learn things aren't quite the way they remember and Hill ends up being the cool kid, in a very environmentally friendly kind of place where Tatum's guns won't help him out!

My Rating: 8/10

Directors: Chris Miller, Phil Lord    Cast: Brie Larson, Channing Tatum, Dave Franco, Ice Cube, Johnny Depp, Jonah Hill, Rob Riggle

John Carter

Bit of a boring one really it seemed pretty samey and didn't really have anything spectacular. The story, is a bit strange, it reminded me slightly of Cowboys and Aliens, can you really mix the old with the new? An 1860 American civil war hero is transported by a golden amulet to another planet, where he finds himself in a prison amongst Martians called Barsooms, a little farfetched?

Personally I was expecting a little bit more seeing as the movie was coming from Andrew Stanton who brought us Wall-E, Toy Story and Monsters Inc. John Carter did not have the same delights as the these and seemed to lack fun and a storyline you can get your teeth into.

In this story Carter soon finds out he has powers and is able to leap massive distances, yet he becomes captured by Tharks, aka the baddies which is where the main part of the story comes into play, he falls in love with the princess. Predictable!? The civil war happening on the planet between all these races just seems to get in the way, it all becomes a but 'Flash Gordon' with the plastic shining armour. It very much failed to impress me and just reminded me of a 70s sci-fi movie.

My Rating: 5/10

Directors: Asger Leth    Cast: Anthony Mackie, Ed Harris, Edward Burns, Elizabeth Banks, Genesis Rodriguez, Jamie Bell, Jamie Bell, Kyra Sedgwick, Sam Worthington

Man On A Ledge

Just reading the title of this film makes me giggle, I wonder what its about? This film reminds me a little of snakes on a plane. A bit pointless? Sam Worthington a wrongly convicted ex-cop is out to get his revenge on the people who did him over! His brother Jamie Bell and his girlfriend Genesis Rodriguez plan to steal a diamond from Ed Harris the bad buy, whilst Mr Worthington hangs of a ledge acquiring everyone's attention. As you can tell the story is hard to follow!

This kind of film just reminds me of stereotypes New York's finest stating the obvious and being totally useless! We do, however, get the pleasure of a twist at the end. The film is nothing spectacular but not terrible!