Movie Synopsis
A shy school boy living in a rural family with financial problems befriends the new girl at school. Their friendship will take them on a new adventure.
Movie Review Summary
I had high hopes when this came out that it would be something like Lord of the Rings, Narnia, or even Harry Potter, and I had not read the book that this is based on. For half of the film you live in hope that it will get better and be more like one of those films. Unfortunately you give up and come to accept it for what it is, two kids who find each other and make believe of a different world called Terabithia. The disappointing thing is that world gives a big licence to make something amazing up, and all that we get is a bit of a damp squib of somebody’s imagination. Watching the special features of the DVD the director comes across as pretty uninspiring and I wonder if it’s the reason that this gets let down. The fantasy world that you hope will be there isn’t and that was a major disappointment.
There is a story to be followed here though, so if you accept the fantasy is poor the drama isn’t so bad. Jess and Leslie work well together, as do their different relationships with their parents and family.
There is also a brave development in the storyline which does come as a shock but actually kind of works. I won’t spoil it for you.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Bridge to Terabithia and click here for more movie reviews.
Sunday, 25 August 2013
Mamma Mia
Movie Synopsis
Mamma Mia follows the story of bride-to-be Sophie, who before her wedding day, tries to track down her father. The problem is she doesn’t know of the three possible candidates it is.
Movie Review Summary
Mamma Mia is probably every ABBA fans’ dream come true. It includes so many of ABBA’s famous tracks, even non-ABBA fans will be able to sing along or enjoy in the merriment. The plot is quite clever but not clever enough and doesn’t make use of the talents of Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth. The movie is definitely about the women and will likely be enjoyed most by women, from the girl power girl band led by Meryl Streep to the tying up of the male leads.
What lets the film down is it feels like it’s painted by numbers. I was struggling to see the relevance of some of ABBA’s classics to the film, they just didn’t relate. Which takes me on to the real problem. The singing. The actors knew they weren’t singers but unfortunately this is a musical. Some of them can carry it off for some periods but more likely it’s a bit painful to listen too. I think Pierce Brosnan is a fantastic actor but his vocals aren’t made out to belt out love songs, that much is clear.
The settings are beautiful, the colours and contrasts wonderful and you’ll find you’re sometimes singing along – even if under your breath – to the songs which you’ll remember just how fantastic they are.
There’s also a side twist in store for Colin Firth – another prime suspect who should be charged for singing offences – that I’d never thought I’d see. It’s not quite Love Actually for him but it is a great step out of his typical character.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Mamma Mia and click here for more movie reviews.
Mamma Mia follows the story of bride-to-be Sophie, who before her wedding day, tries to track down her father. The problem is she doesn’t know of the three possible candidates it is.
Movie Review Summary
Mamma Mia is probably every ABBA fans’ dream come true. It includes so many of ABBA’s famous tracks, even non-ABBA fans will be able to sing along or enjoy in the merriment. The plot is quite clever but not clever enough and doesn’t make use of the talents of Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth. The movie is definitely about the women and will likely be enjoyed most by women, from the girl power girl band led by Meryl Streep to the tying up of the male leads.
What lets the film down is it feels like it’s painted by numbers. I was struggling to see the relevance of some of ABBA’s classics to the film, they just didn’t relate. Which takes me on to the real problem. The singing. The actors knew they weren’t singers but unfortunately this is a musical. Some of them can carry it off for some periods but more likely it’s a bit painful to listen too. I think Pierce Brosnan is a fantastic actor but his vocals aren’t made out to belt out love songs, that much is clear.
The settings are beautiful, the colours and contrasts wonderful and you’ll find you’re sometimes singing along – even if under your breath – to the songs which you’ll remember just how fantastic they are.
There’s also a side twist in store for Colin Firth – another prime suspect who should be charged for singing offences – that I’d never thought I’d see. It’s not quite Love Actually for him but it is a great step out of his typical character.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Mamma Mia and click here for more movie reviews.
Seven Pounds
Movie Synopsis
Suspense and mystery surround the actions of an IRS agent as he delves closer into the people he is investigating than he should.
Movie Review Summary
To some people this could be an absolute classic. It has elements of suspense, mystery, humour, love, deep hurt – a very real and vivid emotional roller-coaster which you have little choice but to board and which does offer a sense of engrossing entertainment.
It does follow the M. Night Shyamalan style of weaving a story that it unashamedly doesn’t let you in on, otherwise the power of the story is easily lost. Unlike Shyamalan’s films though, the suspense drops off in the first half hour when it becomes clear what is happening – the clues, while not always obvious, are there to guide you to realise, so there’s no need to worry you’ll finish watching and be scratching your head as to what happened. If you read the clues and flashbacks as I did, you’ll have guessed the ending about two-thirds of the way through. This doesn’t actually detract from the film as much as it could, because the power of Will Smith and Rosario Dawsons’ characters make the events between them compelling viewing and you just have to watch it for the conclusion.
And yes, that is Woody Harrelson you see. He plays such an underhyped part it made me question it a few times, but he sure does play it so well.
For fans of Will Smith, this isn’t his regular kind of film, so if you are going to see this and expecting that, you may regret it. Be prepared that this will be different.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Seven Pounds and click here for more movie reviews.
Suspense and mystery surround the actions of an IRS agent as he delves closer into the people he is investigating than he should.
Movie Review Summary
To some people this could be an absolute classic. It has elements of suspense, mystery, humour, love, deep hurt – a very real and vivid emotional roller-coaster which you have little choice but to board and which does offer a sense of engrossing entertainment.
It does follow the M. Night Shyamalan style of weaving a story that it unashamedly doesn’t let you in on, otherwise the power of the story is easily lost. Unlike Shyamalan’s films though, the suspense drops off in the first half hour when it becomes clear what is happening – the clues, while not always obvious, are there to guide you to realise, so there’s no need to worry you’ll finish watching and be scratching your head as to what happened. If you read the clues and flashbacks as I did, you’ll have guessed the ending about two-thirds of the way through. This doesn’t actually detract from the film as much as it could, because the power of Will Smith and Rosario Dawsons’ characters make the events between them compelling viewing and you just have to watch it for the conclusion.
And yes, that is Woody Harrelson you see. He plays such an underhyped part it made me question it a few times, but he sure does play it so well.
For fans of Will Smith, this isn’t his regular kind of film, so if you are going to see this and expecting that, you may regret it. Be prepared that this will be different.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Seven Pounds and click here for more movie reviews.
Little Miss Sunshine
Movie Synopsis
When Olive Hooper reaches the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant final her family go to every length to get her to the contest on time.
Movie Review Summary
The overall film idea first reminded me of John Cleese’s film Clockwise – which if you haven’t seen it, do so – however Little Miss Sunshine bears little of the humour and goes straight for the hard done by, bitter, resentful family side of this story.
This will probably put some people off, but if you feel like an empathetic emotional roller-coaster of a film and you can relate to the vivid, hard done by, suicidal, parent hating, forlorn characters of this movie, you’ll enjoy this. Watching each of them face up to their life’s trials and tribulations does make it humorous at time, although in some places the links are quite onerous, while others are so good you don’t see them coming.
Steve Carell (as Frank) was pretty mesmerising to watch, not because he stole the show but because his character must have been quite a challenge for him, which he does tremendously well at. Greg Kinnear (Richard) is also one to watch, not least because in this day and age, he’s probably somebody you’ve met or seen before.
I remember the rave reviews this film got when it first broke as being a heart warming tale. Well, it really isn’t – don’t pay much attention to the fact ‘sunshine’ is referenced at all, this isn’t a film that’ll leave you feeling happy. That said, it is enjoyable, not least because you really don’t know – a la National Lampoon style – what is around the next corner for the hotchpotch of characters there are in this family.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Little Miss Sunshine and click here for more movie reviews.
When Olive Hooper reaches the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant final her family go to every length to get her to the contest on time.
Movie Review Summary
The overall film idea first reminded me of John Cleese’s film Clockwise – which if you haven’t seen it, do so – however Little Miss Sunshine bears little of the humour and goes straight for the hard done by, bitter, resentful family side of this story.
This will probably put some people off, but if you feel like an empathetic emotional roller-coaster of a film and you can relate to the vivid, hard done by, suicidal, parent hating, forlorn characters of this movie, you’ll enjoy this. Watching each of them face up to their life’s trials and tribulations does make it humorous at time, although in some places the links are quite onerous, while others are so good you don’t see them coming.
Steve Carell (as Frank) was pretty mesmerising to watch, not because he stole the show but because his character must have been quite a challenge for him, which he does tremendously well at. Greg Kinnear (Richard) is also one to watch, not least because in this day and age, he’s probably somebody you’ve met or seen before.
I remember the rave reviews this film got when it first broke as being a heart warming tale. Well, it really isn’t – don’t pay much attention to the fact ‘sunshine’ is referenced at all, this isn’t a film that’ll leave you feeling happy. That said, it is enjoyable, not least because you really don’t know – a la National Lampoon style – what is around the next corner for the hotchpotch of characters there are in this family.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Little Miss Sunshine and click here for more movie reviews.
Next
Movie Synopsis
A Las Vegas showroom magician uses his stage show to hide that he can see two minutes into the future. This makes him a powerful tool between those who wish to do bad and those who wish to stop them.
Movie Review Summary
This certainly had it all on paper: Nicolas Cage in a action packed film, the ability to see the future, and a good supporting cast. And really, this could have been such a great film. As it stands it is let down because what is meant to be the main plot – the nuclear attack on LA – actually becomes a sub-plot to a romance between Nicolas Cage and Jessica Biel. Which wasn’t really what I was hoping for. Oh yes, they try to keep pulling it back to the good versus bad content (although why the good are good and the bad are bad is never ever mentioned in this, nor are any motives for a terrorist attack) and the motives in the film relate to the romantic.
There is some good trickery in here, some well developed content that interconnects, and good acting (if not some over-acting to boot).
Please click this link for a full movie review of Next and click here for more movie reviews.
A Las Vegas showroom magician uses his stage show to hide that he can see two minutes into the future. This makes him a powerful tool between those who wish to do bad and those who wish to stop them.
Movie Review Summary
This certainly had it all on paper: Nicolas Cage in a action packed film, the ability to see the future, and a good supporting cast. And really, this could have been such a great film. As it stands it is let down because what is meant to be the main plot – the nuclear attack on LA – actually becomes a sub-plot to a romance between Nicolas Cage and Jessica Biel. Which wasn’t really what I was hoping for. Oh yes, they try to keep pulling it back to the good versus bad content (although why the good are good and the bad are bad is never ever mentioned in this, nor are any motives for a terrorist attack) and the motives in the film relate to the romantic.
There is some good trickery in here, some well developed content that interconnects, and good acting (if not some over-acting to boot).
Please click this link for a full movie review of Next and click here for more movie reviews.
The Dark Knight
Movie Synopsis
Following Batman Begins, this is the second film in the revamped series that follows how Batman escalates his war against crime in Gotham, except this time he finds his arch nemesis.
Movie Review Summary
A delightful film to watch that refreshes the Batman series. Look gone are the corny types of Batman film, replaced instead by this serious, dark take on the films instead. Batman Begins film has successfully built up the ground work to allow the quality of this film.
There’s an all star cast and they don’t fail to disappoint. Christian Bale as the troubled Bruce Wayne is spot on, although I’m not sure about his husky Batman voice, it feels a bit fake. The performance by Aaron Eckhart is so good it makes you wonder if Batman will become redundant, so believable is what he is doing and his faith in himself as being a ‘white knight’ in Gotham.
Heath Ledger won a posthumous Academy Award Oscar for his take of the Joker and that was right, his portrayal of the character surpassed that of Jack Nicholson’s, which was a tough job.
Please click this link for a full movie review of The Dark Knight and click here for more movie reviews.
Following Batman Begins, this is the second film in the revamped series that follows how Batman escalates his war against crime in Gotham, except this time he finds his arch nemesis.
Movie Review Summary
A delightful film to watch that refreshes the Batman series. Look gone are the corny types of Batman film, replaced instead by this serious, dark take on the films instead. Batman Begins film has successfully built up the ground work to allow the quality of this film.
There’s an all star cast and they don’t fail to disappoint. Christian Bale as the troubled Bruce Wayne is spot on, although I’m not sure about his husky Batman voice, it feels a bit fake. The performance by Aaron Eckhart is so good it makes you wonder if Batman will become redundant, so believable is what he is doing and his faith in himself as being a ‘white knight’ in Gotham.
Heath Ledger won a posthumous Academy Award Oscar for his take of the Joker and that was right, his portrayal of the character surpassed that of Jack Nicholson’s, which was a tough job.
Please click this link for a full movie review of The Dark Knight and click here for more movie reviews.
The Heartbreak Kid
Movie Synopsis
Eddie is forty years old and watching the others in his life get married. Now he’s feeling left behind and when the opportunity he comes in to get married he dives in – it’s after his marriage though that he finds his true love.
Movie Review Summary
I enjoy Ben Stiller films, they usually are of a good quality. The Heartbreak Kid is a bit of a dip in form for me though. It felt like some of this was There’s Something About Mary rehashed – now Mary was a great film and unique, whereas The Heartbreak Kid didn’t have that same feel about it. Sure, there really are a few quality moments, but these were kind of lost amongst the sea of run-of-the-mill comedy.
Please click this link for a full movie review of The Heartbreak Kid and click here for more movie reviews.
Eddie is forty years old and watching the others in his life get married. Now he’s feeling left behind and when the opportunity he comes in to get married he dives in – it’s after his marriage though that he finds his true love.
Movie Review Summary
I enjoy Ben Stiller films, they usually are of a good quality. The Heartbreak Kid is a bit of a dip in form for me though. It felt like some of this was There’s Something About Mary rehashed – now Mary was a great film and unique, whereas The Heartbreak Kid didn’t have that same feel about it. Sure, there really are a few quality moments, but these were kind of lost amongst the sea of run-of-the-mill comedy.
Please click this link for a full movie review of The Heartbreak Kid and click here for more movie reviews.
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