MOVIE REVIEW: FINAL DESTINATION 5 (15) (2D) (3D)

"SPECTACULAR WAYS OF KILLING PEOPLE"

Final Destination 5 is a Horror film Directed by Steven Quale (same guy that helped direct Avatar, 2009 & Titanic, 1997). Survivors of a suspension bridge later learn that there is no way they can cheat death. Its Starring Nicholas D'Agosto, Emma Bell, Miles Fisher, Arlen Escarpeta, David Koechner, Tony Todd, Courtney B. Vance, Barclay Hope, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, Ellen Wroe & P.J. Byrne.

#Fact: Its been confirmed that the DVD will have two alternate deaths. #ThumbsUp


THE REVIEW:

YIKES! Final Destination is back with fifth installment in the films franchise and they have gone with having it shot in 3D (lets hope it shows). I've only liked one or two of the previous films made so i was hoping to enjoy this one. i'm expecting to see some pretty crazy & bloody death scenes.

After watching this film i have to say i did enjoy myself even though i was grossed out by the way people were dieing. It starts off a with an almight BANG! and just keeps getting better as far as shocking the audience was concerned.The story goes on and gradually builds great suspense. 


Director Quale moves the camera around showing whats wrong with some of the places/areas the character are in. That's how attention spans are captured because you knew something is going to happen but you just didnt know what or how. The deaths are timed to perfection. If you ever want to learn how to go for a kill in some timely fashion then this is the film you want to watch. I was actually gobsmacked on how these people were dieing, a couple times i had my hand over my mouth. Believe me when i say the Gore setting is on wreckless mode. 


 The 3D is awesome in this film, the bodies cutting in half, bones out of skin and CGI blood everywhere. It looked pretty real to me. This is one them films you don't expect the effects to be good but my oh my it is something to marvel at. This film shows how to use 3D and make it terrifying. #Impressive. As much as each killing is very entertaining to watch, i didnt feel connected to characters as i would like to, they looked like a set from a random american television programme. This is just one of them films where you lose a little interest in the characters and just look forward to all the effects, settings & stunts used.

OVERALL: Gruesome & Entertaining.

STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  4

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

The scene at of the Gymnist.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with us in the comments)

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MOVIE REVIEW: THE INBETWEENERS MOVIE (15)

"THIS IS THAT FUNNY FILM WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ALL YEAR"

The Inbetweeners Movie is a British comedy film Directed by Ben Palmer (same guy that brought us the sketch show Bo’ Selecta, 2002) Will, Neil, Simon & Jay, four socially troubled 18 year old geeks from the south of England go on Holiday to Malia, Crete. 

Its Starring Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Joe Thomas, Laura Haddock, Emily Head, Tamla Kari, Jessica Knappett, Lydia Rose Bewley & Theo Barklem Biggs.

#Fact: Although the holiday is set in Malia, the majority of filming took place in Magaluf, Majorca.

THE REVIEW:

When I saw Simon and his school mates were coming out with a movie I knew it was going to be something special. The TV series was  an instant classic so I knew this film was not going to disappoint.

After watching the film I’m glad to say that this is probably the top 2 (if not 1) funniest film of the summer. There are so many laughs and mishaps that I was completely hooked from the opening scenes (even made me want to go on holiday). The four lovable geeks go on holiday with a mission to lose some virginities, get absolutely trousered (drunk) - basically have the time of their lives but unfortunately for them they are still the same dorks from the TV series. 

Embarrassing scenes, swearing, crude (but at the same time) hilarious humour, touching moments are just a few things you’ll find in this film.  The group are great entertainment, each one of them have their own sillyness that really adds to the whole experience. They all worked tremendously very well together on screen. If you like the TV show then you will love this and buy it on DVD as soon as it’s released.  The jokes are understandable to all ages and the storyline is easy to follow, from start to finish I was literally LOL-ing all over my seat in the cinema. The acting is very impressive and didn’t feel forced.

#SpoilerAlert: The continuous mention of a man’s penis and the jokes around it. A scene somewhere in the middle was uncomfortable to watch and I think they should have left it out. Hangover 2 tried something like this and it worked for them but didn’t quite cut it in this.  Apart from that, this film is a must see.

OVERALL: Close To A Classic.

STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  4.6

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

The scene of the 4 boys first time in a Malia bar where they start doing all sorts of dance moves to impress the ladies. #Classic

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with us in the comments)

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MOVIE REVIEW: COWBOYS & ALIENS (12A)

"DISAPPOINTING"

Cowboys & Aliens is a Sci Fi, Action & Thriller film Directed by Jon Favreau (same guy that brought us Iron Man 1 & 2). A Spaceship arrives in Arizona, 1873 to take over the Earth, starting with the Wild West region. A posse of cowboys and natives are all that stand in their way. 

Its Starring Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano, Clancy Brown, Keith Carradine, Noah Ringer, Adam Beach, Abigail Spencer, Ana de la Reguera, Walton Goggins, David O’Hara & Raoul Trujillo.

#Fact: This film is based on a book (with the same name) created by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg in 2006.

#Fact: Robert Downey was suppose to play Jake Lonergan, but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Daniel Craig was later chosen for his distinct likeness to Steve McQueen who’s famous for his role in The Magnificent Seven.

THE REVIEW:

The title of this film is a big enough selling point because nobody will ever associate cowboys and aliens (it just doesn’t happen). When I saw the trailer I was intrigued to watch it because it looked quite entertaining and the recognisable faces on screen are top actors.

I watched this and was not too sure if the concept of cowboys and aliens went particularly well together, at the start the setting of a western looked fine, it worked and the actors looked the part so to throw in aliens disturbed a perfectly set stage. 

Daniel Craig & Harrison Ford do what they do best on screen, the rest just doesn't fit around them as well as it should. This film is one of them anticipated summer films that was either going to be a hit or a miss and sadly it’s a miss. The storyline was not in depth enough, and didn't even explain why the aliens we’re doing what they were doing.  Speaking of the alien, they did look good on screen but seem copied from somewhere (I’ll let you decide when you see this film). All the special effects & action scenes were just about okay (I've seen better).

OVERALL:  Save Your £ or $ (or whatever currency you use in your country lol)

STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  2

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

The fighter ships action scenes.

 (if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with us in the comments)

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MOVIE REVIEW: THE SMURFS (U) (2D) (3D)

"WASN’T SMURFED ENOUGH"

The Smurfs is an animated comedy family film Directed by Raja Gosnell (Same guy that brought us Home Alone 3 & Big Momma House). When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours. 

Its Starring Hank Azaria, Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Sofia Vergara, Tim Gunn. Voice Actors: Jonathan Winters, Katy Perry, Fred Armisen, Alan Cumming, Anton Yelchin, George Lopez, Jeff Foxworthy, Paul Reubens, Gary Basaraba, John Oliver & Kenan Thompson + many more…

#Fact: Ben Stiller, John Lithgow, Ben Affleck, Sally Field, Julia Sweeney, Marisa Tomei, & Quentin Tarantion were all rumoured for roles at one point.

THE REVIEW:

I heard a lot of critism being thrown this movies way that I had to go and see it for myself, and my conclusion is that it’s not that bad, neither is it great… it’s just okay. I can understand why some people will say it’s a piece of junk movie that should never have happened (bland storyline). 


From the moment I saw the little blue people’s arch enemy Gargamel (Azaria) and the way he was I knew how much effort had gone into this real life recreation. All the little blue people are just characters that we don’t really connect with in the same way as the cartoon does. It’s too gimmicky and way too cheesy, it’s only has a funny bits here and there.

On the upside, the 3D looks good & the CGI on the cat isn’t bad either so it’s worth the watch in that dimension. The acting and voices were also pretty good. Azaria, Harris, Mays did their best but I’m sure they won’t be buying it on DVD themselves lol.  So when deciding if to watch this you should for your kids’ sake (if you have any) they will enjoy it.

OVERALL:  Hollywood Should Know Better.

 STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  2.5

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

Last 20 minutes of the movie.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with us in the comments)

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MOVIE REVIEW: RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (12A)

"EXPLOSIVE INTELLIGENCE"

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is an action, drama & science fiction film Directed by Rupert Wyatt (same guy that brought us The Escapist, 2008) In San Francisco a man’s own experiments with genetic engineering leads to the development of intelligence in apes and sparks off a war. 
Its starring James Franco, Frieda Pinto, Andy Serkis, John Lithgow, Brian Cox, Tom Felton, David Oyelowo, Tyler Labine, David Hewlett & James Harris.

#Fact: Tobey Maguire (Spiderman) & Jeff Goldblum were originally casted in this movie but talks broke down and both stars ejected from the project.

#Fact: Unlike all previous Ape films where it’s just actors in make-up. This film’s Apes was created digitally using Motion Capture --> (The process of recording movement and translating that movement on to a digital model).

THE REVIEW:

I  watched this film I must say I really enjoyed myself (didn’t expect to). From start to finish this prequel is very engaging, I was actually surprised on how much substance this movie has. It’s well paced, easily understandable and most importantly it has depth. The relationship between the ape and the human is what they show off really well. The emotions in the story acted out are right on the money and I really felt a connection. 


Director (Wyatt) showed us that animals like these monkeys/apes would do things we humans do in our lives and react to certain situations the same way and they understand how life works just like we would. Its is a summer supriser because nobody will expect it to be this good. The action scenes are explosive, exciting & very entertaining. This film is a cheeky way of sticking a middle finger at all these Superhero films that’s been coming out this summer. I fully recommend it.

Even more impressive is the special effects on display, everything about how these animals  from their looks to the way they swaggered about & expressions was just marvellous to watch. The attention to detail and style is what sets this Movie apart from all the previous ones. You won’t see effects this breathtaking or a long time to come, I can promise you that. This is what the previous film like Planet of the Apes would have loved to look like.

The lead character (well chimp) Cesar played by Andy Serkis is definitely the #StarOfTheShow. We follow his life throughout and what an animal he grows to be. I already developed a like for him from the start and by the end I was fan. It’s the way he’s been made to look and how powerful he’s presence is when he’s the focus. All the efforts put in my by real life actor Serkis is captured perfectly, he must be one of the best animal impersonators ever to do it. #WellDone.

Franco, Pinto, Lithgow, Cox, Felton & Oyelowo all put in high standard performances.

OVERALL:  Better Than Expected.

 STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  4.5

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

Cesar’s response to Will (Franco) when he comes to take him back after bribing John (Cox) with money.

 (if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with us in the comments)

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MOVIE REVIEW: MR. POPPERS PENGUINS (PG)

"PG RATED BIT OF FUN"

Mr. Poppers Penguins is a Family Comedy film Directed by Mark Waters (same guy that brought us Mean Girls, 2004) The life of a businessman begins to change after he inherits six penguins, and as he transforms his apartment into a winter wonderland, his professional side starts to unravel. 

Its Starring Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Madeline Carroll, Maxwell Perry Cotton, Angela Lansbury, Philip Baker Hall, Dominic Chianese, Clark Gregg, Ophelia Lovibond & Frank Welker.

#Fact: This film is based on a children’s book (with the same name) published in 1938.

#Fact: Ben Stiller was originally casted to play Mr Popper.

THE REVIEW:

I for one was happy to see Jim Carrey back on our screens (it’s been a while). He’s back to his funny self in this family movie Poppers Penguins. I saw the trailer and it looked okay, nothing special just a cool & fun piece of story to tell little kids.

After watching this film, I liked some parts (funny bits) but the storyline is nothing to marvel at. I’ve seen storylines likes this before (just without the penguins). It’s one of those does exactly what it says on the tin kind of film. Jim Carrey inherits penguins, gets attached and saves them with all his powers. (crowd pleaser) Jim does save this film with his presence, without him it wouldn't have had the same impact it does.

Kids will like this film because of the funny and animated nature of Mr Popper (Carrey) he saves this film in more than one way. It’s a PG film that families can watch together and enjoy the entertainment. The penguins (mostly CGI) look really good on screen and the antics they get up to will excite the kids watching. All the characters were very good actors even down to Tom's kids. #ThumbsUp

Older Jim Carrey fans won’t be interested because it’s not the storyline that will engage the older crowd but I think that’s okay because it’s a kid’s film that does its job.

OVERALL: Nice Movie.

 STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  2.5

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

The struggle at the gate of the Zoo between Tom Popper (Carrey) & at Jones (Gregg)

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with us in the comments)

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