UPDATE: EXAM SEASON

Hi guys, at the moment I am need deep in work and past papers as I am revising for my GCSEs. This means that I won't be blogging much as I haven't got the time or the chance to go out to the cinemas to go and see some new movies. However, don't be too disheartened as there are many good movies coming out soon & I will make sure I go to see them and write up a review.

Anyway, see you the other side of exam season!

THE OTHER WOMAN

When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I knew that I would have to go and see it. To be honest, any movie with Cameron Diaz is an definite must see for me. Also the appeal of a chick flick which isn't about how everybody lives 'happily ever after' was another factor that drew me in. So basically the film is about a woman who discovers that her boyfriend has a wife, when the wife realises that Carly (Cameron Diaz) is more than just a friend she gets in touch with her. Carly and Kate (Leslie Mann) realise they have much in common and become the strangest friends you'll ever meet. Realising that there is another woman in the equation, Kate and Carly follow him and tell Amber, the third woman, about what is really happening. All three women team up and get revenge on this cheating, lying, ass of a man.

Cameron Diaz plays the main character Carly, a high-flying lawyer who has been dating Mark King (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) for a few months. She feels like he is the one, but it is not until he pulls out of meeting her dad because he has other arrangements that she begins to have doubts. When Carly unexpectedly turns up at Mark's house and surprisedly meets Kate, his wife, she definitely knows that he isn't the one. When Kate constantly keeps turning up and Carly's house and work, Carly says she will help her deal with the problem. Kate is played by Leslie Mann, I feel like she played a very good part which differs quite significantly throughout the movie. I feel like Mann has a recognisable face but I can't quite place it in any movie I've seen. Anyway, after realising that Mark is still cheating but not with either of them they follow him and meet Amber, played by Kate Upton. This is the first film i've ever seen Kate Upton in, and I can confirm that I know a girl crush on her - just one more to add to the collection.

The film has quite a lot of dry humour in it, which is what you'd expect from a chick flick. You've got Diaz as the hot lawyer with the brains of the group, Mann the self-pitying, over emotional wife and Upton, the ditzy blonde who also helps bring up the group average. To quote Carly "if you put the lawyer, the wife and the boobs together there is no way he can win." I was also quite impressed with Nicki Minaj's performance, she played Lydia, Carly's receptionist. She spins her so called "wise wisdom" of the world to Carly to try and make her feel better about the situation. 

However, I feel like the film was a bit hit and miss at times. There were some pretty big slapstick laughs but then at times I felt like it was a bit dry and lacked a comical feel. With a few more jokes and puns, it would've been up there with one of the best comedy films of the year. However, I feel like I cannot take that away from the film as it was generally very good and I did enjoy it. It made me relax after having a pretty stressful week. Anyway, what's not to like about watching three hot women take their revenge on a scumbag man who doesn't know what is about to hit him.

THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2

When The Amazing Spiderman came out in 2012 one the things I was excited for was for a sequel. So here we are, two years on and The Amazing Spiderman 2 has been released. Yesterday I grabbed a coffee, a pair of IMAX glasses and headed off to cinema. Spiderman is one of my favourite Marvel characters because I love his sarcastic ways and the films are always full of amazing storylines. Also, if there was ever a movie to see in 3D this would be the movie; you feel like you a swinging along the streets of New York as you watch Spiderman fight the enemies that come his way. If you haven't seen this first film I'll give you a little synopsis of it: Peter Parker, a high-school student who was dumped on his aunt and uncle when he was only a young boy as his parents had to mysteriously flee, gets bitten by a spider at Oscorp (a corporation which his father set up) and inhibits all the traits that a Spider has. Peter has to fight Dr Curt Connors, his fathers previous partner at Oscorp, as he turns into his alter-ego that is The Lizard.

The Amazing Spiderman 2 follows on from the first movie and Peter is still guilt-ridden with what happened in the last film. I would tell you what happened but spoilers! This film is a lot more emotional than the first one as Peter and Gwen (his girlfriend) are constantly having troubles as Peter feels like he will put Gwen in danger if they continue to see each other. You ride an emotional rollercoaster in this film as there are many ups and downs to it. After Peter lost his Uncle Ben in the previous film, he lives with only his Aunt May. In this movie you see how Aunt May is struggling to fund Peter and how she feels neglected by him as he always wants to find out what happened to his parents after he left them. After all hope is lost in his investigation, his anger gives him a sign of hope and he gets one step closer to discovering why his parents had to leave him that night.

Once again this film has some amazing graphics in it. It amazes me how technology has changed so much as you think that a human is swinging through the streets of New York and not a CGI creation. I'm sure most of the action scenes are done by stunt men and women but when they aren't you really cannot tell the difference. Jaime Foxx plays Max Dillon, an outsider on society who is not wanted or needed by anyone. After a fatal accident at Oscorp Max is turned into a human generator and names himself Electro. The transformation of Max Dillon to Electro is truly amazing and you'd think it would take years for a production team the make a blue electric villain who causes blackouts in New York. Electro eventually teams up with Harry Osborn, one of Peter's oldest friends. When Harry realises the Spiderman's blood may save him from dying, he asks Peter to talk to Spiderman. Spiderman refuses which sends Harry crazy. He discovers about the Special Projects that are held at Oscorp, injects himself with spider venom and suits up. Harry will eventually become the Green Goblin.

The fight scenes in this film are truly incredible! They keep you on the edge of your seat and there is plenty for you to go at. As I saw the movie in IMAX I felt like I was part of the film and I just wanted to get involved to help Spiderman save good ol' New York! Once again, the production team have really excelled in the development of this movie as it makes you feel like you are part of the superhero world - and I really wish I was!

Once again I cannot fault the acting of the startling handsome Andrew Garfield and the gorgeous Emma Stone; I felt captivated in their relationship, but I'm sure it isn't that hard for them considering they are a real-life couple. I also felt that Jamie Foxx played a very good part as he had to switch into two different personalities in the movie. At first he played a geeky lonely man who just wanted some attention but by the end of the film he played a crazed super-villain who tried everything in his power to destroy Spiderman. Dane DeHaan also plays an interesting character; Harry Osborn spent most of his childhood in boarding school and it seems to have damaged him for the future. At the end of the film Harry is filled with a hatred for Spiderman and is beginning to put together a group of villains to go against Spiderman.

If I were to criticise the film, I would say that the ending may have ruined it for me. After the film being very emotional throughout I was practically creating new rivers with my tears in the cinema! However, I feel like I cannot take that away from the film as I did enjoy it. Also, the film left many questions at the end of it and there is definitely an open ending for another sequel. All-in-all I would recommend that you go and see this film but make sure you see it in 3D as it makes the movie experience that little bit more special.

THE MUPPETS MOST WANTED

After enduring an hour and half of a small child coughing and spluttering, and a man constantly rustling in a carrier bag I managed to watch The Muppets Most Wanted. Although my overall cinematic experience may have not been one of the best, (but what are you supposed to expect from a U rated film) I did enjoy the film. Although I never watched The Muppets as a child I have always had a thing for the muppets; especially Kermit the Frog! So much that I made my parents buy so 20 Cravendale milk bottles so I could get a free Kermit backpack. Oh how sad my life is! This movie follows on from the previous film which I haven't seen but I really feel like I should have. 

The overall plot of the film is about The Muppets going on a world tour, but they find themselves involved in a European jewel heist lead by a Kermit the Frog look-a-like and the infamous villain the Lemur. Domonic Badguy (Ricky Gervais) fools The Muppets to go on a world tour of Europe. Unkown to them, it is all part of a sinister scheme devised by Constantine to steal the crown jewels. Constantine swaps places with Kermit, which lands Kermit in Dulag prison for most of the film. As the plot unfolds Kermit begins to doubt the meaning of family as The Muppets don't realise that he has been swapped for Constantine.

As many of the other Muppet shows/films they involve comical and theatrical songs throughout the movie which gives the film some umf when other parts lack it. Also there are many cameo roles in the film much like their other shows/films, and I felt like I was constantly waiting to find out who the next cameo would be. A main characters (other than The Muppets) is Constantine, voiced by Matt Vogel, the main villain of this movie. Constantine is a Kermit look-a-like and manages to fool the rest of the The Muppet gang that he is Kermit. Another important character is Domonic Badguy played by Ricky Gervais. Ricky Gervais isn't one of my favoured comics/actors in the world but I have managed to over-look that to review his performance. Once again, I feel like Gervais played the same old 'I'm a nice guy/I'm a bad guy' role with a hint self doubt, but he played his role very well but I find him a very hard man to like.

If I were to criticise the movie I'd say it was slow running and pretty childish but then I guess the movie is for children and not 16 year-old teenagers who prefer action packed thrilling movies. I would recommend this movie for families with younger children as it has some simple laughs in it. Also  I would recommend it for adults who grew up watching The Muppets as my dad was nearly out of his seat laughing at some of the jokes; I can certainly say that it took him back to his younger years. It is safe to say that this film is easy-going, suitable for all and a good laugh - so if you're feeling down, this is the film for you!

  

500 DAYS OF SUMMER

This movie is one that everyone has told me good things about but I have never watched, so I brought it upon myself to rent out the film and have a mid-week movie night. The film stars the dashingly handsome Joseph Gordon-Levitt and the beautiful Zoey Deschanel. As the narrator states at the beginning of the film; This is a story of boy meets girl, but you should know upfront, this is not a love story. The overall plot is about a girl who doesn't believe in true love and boy who falls head-over-heels in love with her. 

Tom, the main character trained as an architect but now writes greeting cards. When Summer becomes the new assistant at his work, Tom instantly falls for her. After a karaoke night Tom's drunken friend McKenzie reveals that Tom has an interest in Summer. Throughout the film you move back and forth between how Tom's love for Summer blossomed and the recovery of him getting over Summer. During his time of recovery, his younger sister Rachel, played by Chloë Grace Moretz, helps him try and get over Summer. Although she doesn't have that big of a part, she is very influential in Tom's life as she helps him see another side of the relationship Tom built up in his head.

One of my favourite parts of this movie is the soundtrack, it's full of indie/alternative songs which are my favourite kind. Plus, any film which has a Smiths track as a pivotal point in a story line is one to love. One of the best parts in the film is when Tom is on his way to work and begins to strut down the street to You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall & Oates. This grand musical number is one that celebrates Tom and Summer spending there first night together.

The cinematography of this film is truly incredible. The split screen between Tom's expectation and reality is one of the most heart-breaking moments of the film as he finally realises that he and Summer are no longer in the question. Also the transitions between the happy and sad moments of the movie are done very well too. The movie all round is very artistic and expertly put together. Even though the movie can be quite sad there are comical references in the film too, and most of them come from the narrator. After Tom thinks all is lost the film finally ends on a happy note. This is another film to go on the Must See list.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

So recently the sequel to Captain America came out and if you didn't already know I'm a bit of a comic geek, and these action films are my favourite type of film. If you haven't seen any of the Captain America films I'll give you a small synopsis of what it's about: well the first film is set in the second world war and Steve Rodgers, the soon the be Captain America, signs up for a secret research project that changes the whole physic of him. Steve Rodgers is now the world's greatest soldier and the first avenger. The Winter Soldier follows on from the aftermath of the events that happened in New York and how the he deals with that.

The reason Captain America is one of my favourite superhereos is that he stays true to himself and even though he has has had one hell of a physical change his personality does not change at all. In The Winter Soldier this is still a strong feature of Steve. Although he and Natasha have a constant flirtatious atmosphere around them Steve still sticks to his mission; protect from all evil. Also, the introduction of the new character like the Falcon means he has a new partner to fight evil with after his previous sidekick died in the first film.

The Winter Soldier is an action packed film with many twists and turns along the way. The special effects and CGI are amazing to point that you actually think such things exist. The film is a constant flowing thrill ride with no jolts and bumps along the way. Although there may be some shocks and gasps in the cinema it makes you feel more engrossed in the movie. One of my favourite characters in this movie is Agent Romonov or more commonly known as the Black Widow. In Iron Man 2 we see exactly what she can do, and once again you realise why she is such an important character. Also, she isn't just a fighting machine she brings about the best of Steve, their relationship is one that is natural and isn't forced like many other superhero relationships seem to be.

At the end of the film you left wanting more and so many questions are left unanswerable. This movie brings even more questions to the Avengers sequel which has got me very excited. At the end of Iron Man 3 many people are speculating what will happen in the second Avengers movie after Tony's heart transplant; and now that Romonov's secrets have been revealed to the world and S.H.I.E.L.D have been brought down, what will happen now? Plus we have a new character in the Falcon, so will he be joint the Avengers team? There are too many questions that need answering.

I would highly recommend that you go and see this movie but you must watch the first movie too as there are important plots which link to the first film.

THE BREAKFAST CLUB

So this week on the 24th March, the 30th anniversary of The Breakfast Club was upon us. A movie that was an education of culture to many. A movie that made people realise that your children aren't so naive to the world and are growing up very fast. In celebration of this anniversary I watched The Breakfast Club for the very first time and fell instantly in love with it. 

The arrogance but sheer wit of John Bender makes the movie continue to flow throughout. The constant curve-balls that are thrown by this dysfunctional teenager makes situations that all of the other teenagers would never have expected. The stereotypical 'jock' in most high school movies is portrayed as Andrew Clark, a boy who is constantly trying to please his father by winning his wrestling matches. Claire Standish the general 'queen b' of high school gets everything she wants, however she constantly feels insecure which is mainly shown when her and Bender lash out at one another. Even though serious topics are thought about in The Breakfast Club, there is a certain air of humour around them that lightens the mood. For me, Allison Reynolds is my favourite character, the strange behaviour and expressions she pulls grabbed me and I felt like I could connect well with her character. Which finally leads me on to Brian, the typical geeky guy who’s life depends on the grades he gets. The cute but awkward way he acts turns him into a very loveable character.

In all, The Breakfast Club has become one of my favourite movies as there is a constant gripping story-line as you never know which way the plot will end up going. It is a definitely one for the Must See list. In the words of Brian:      

Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. What we did *was* wrong. But we think you're crazy to make an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us... In the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain, and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club

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