The Blind Side (2009)

Format - Cinema
Date - 2 April 2010
Director - John Lee Hancock

Based on the true story of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy who take in a homeless teenage African-American, Michael "Big Mike" Oher. Michael has no idea who is father is and his mother is a crack head. Michael has had little formal education and few skills to help him learn. Leigh Anne soon takes charge however, as is her nature, ensuring that the young man has every opportunity to succeed. When he expresses an interest in football, she goes all out to help him, including giving the coach a few ideas on how best to use Michael's skills. They not only provide him with a loving home, but hire a tutor to help him improve his grades to the point where he would qualify for an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship. Michael Oher was the first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 NFL draft. Written by garykmcd

Thanks to IMdb for the plot summary.

This is the true story of Michael who has nothing but athletic ability and a willingness to learn. The film follows him getting a family and making it through life and football.

I went in to this film thinking, I don't like true story films however a review from a blogger stated it was very good, so I thought when I was going to the cinema fit that film in. And I was so glad I did it was really enjoyable film, I went in with no knowledge of the film or who it was about but it gripped me from the start. There is no real suspense in the film but it tells the story of how a upper class white republican family take in a homeless Black teenager. Now there is some talk in the film about their motives but genuinely it just seems to be a families willingness to accept a stranger into their home and their acceptance of him into their family.

The acting in this was sublime and Sandra Bullock was well worth her Oscar win, she played the well to do white American house wife doing good charity work. Her husband played by Tim Mcgraw, while a lesser part was played to perfection. Quinten Aaron in the main role was quiet and subdued and gave of the appearance of being perhaps a bit slow but pulls it around when he needs to and puts in a sterling performance, looking forward to what he does next. The performances of the kids in this were also magnificent with Jae Head as SJ and Lily Collins as Collins giving believable performances.

I would so recommend this film to everybody the acting is strong and the story holds up very well, even as it is based upon a true story.

5 out of 5 big left tackles.

Let me know if you have seen it and your thoughts on it, also any comments on my thoughts greatly appreciated.

Here is the review that convinced me to go and see the film, www.dogatemywookie.co.uk

Clash of the Titans (2010)

Format - Cinema
Date - 2 April 2010
Director - Louis Leterrier

"The Clash of the Titans" is set in the Greek city of Argos where a war is about to explode between man and the gods. Perseus (Sam Worthington) raised as a fisherman, but is actually a demi-god. Perseus is the son of Zeus (Liam Neeson) who is about to take on the gods after the death of his family. Zeus' brother Hades (Ralph Fiennes) was the one who kill his family, and Perseus wants to kill him. However, it is Perseus's destiny to rescue the city of Argos from the ruthless rage of Hades and his Kraken monster. With nothing to lose, Perseus leads a band of soldiers on a quest to defeat the Kraken. In doing this, Perseus will prevent Hades from overthrowing Zeus and in turn destroying mankind. Douglas Young (the-movie-guy)

Thanks to IMdb for the plot summary.

I went in to this film with no knowledge about what the story of the film was and then I saw that I had seen it all before. It is your standard Greek mythology lesson with a son born to a god and a woman, they fight and meet lots of Greek legends, including Medusa (the ending of that part is shown in the posters). You have your standard heroes with a mission and their adventures as they try to complete it.

This film was enjoyable, nothing particularly special about it. It is what I would term a popcorn flick lots of action pretty people and big CGI effects exactly what it says on the tin (Poster or trailer). Nothing to unexpected happens in the film and you can guess most of how it will go.

The effects were as stunning as I am sure the budget can justify it looked really good and the monsters. The acting was a different matter altogether, I have to say there were no direct complaints but there were to many people in this film and they must have cut quite a bit of the character development just so they could shoe horn in some more magic beasties with their computers. Sam Worthington of "Avatar" fame was not bad he did seem to be channeling Russell Crowe from Gladiator in this role. There was also a bit of William Wallace in his performance or that may just have been the way the character was written. Liam Neeson was Zeus and he did all he had to do in the role, the character again was a bit strange seemed to jump back and forward and did not seem to me to know what he wanted. Ralph Fiennes plays Hades and he is charactiscally brilliant however I never seen him drop the ball. Perseus's companions on his adventure, now this is where the real problem came. Mads Mikkelsen as Draco was very good in the role as aged warrior with respect and contempt for Persius and the mission. Now this sums up my problem with the film the rest of the men on the mission with him all blended to one, you never really knew who was who and I could have sworn the King went on the mission with them. Finally if you like looking at beautiful women in filme then Gemma Arteton as Io fulfills this role and she is very easy on the eye through-out the film.

Now to a recommendation I have no idea what to say, the film was enjoyable for what it was if you like adventure effects and action then go and see it. If you like to be 100% sure about what is happening then give it a miss.

2/5 light sabre swords from the gods.

Let me know if you have seen it and your thoughts on it also any feedback on my thoughts appreciated.

Kick-Ass (2010)

Format - Cinema
Date - 2 April 2010
Director - Matthew Vaughn

Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan with a few friends and who lives alone with his father. His life is not very difficult and his personal trials not that overwhelming. However, one day he makes the simple decision to become a super-hero even though he has no powers or training. Written by Daniel J. Leary

Thanks to IMdb for the plot summary.

The film starts with the premise of why has nobody ever tried to be a super hero before? You then have Dave who gets a wet suit some baton's and becomes a costumed hero. You have him meeting other costumed heroes and facing off against the big crime boss.

I loved this film it is comedy gold in some parts, a lot of which you get from the trailer but there is a couple of massive laughs that rolled around the cinema which does not happen very often when I go to the cinema. The characters were excellent I did not know going in that this film was based upon a comic book however it worked really well as a film.

The acting in this film was top notch from Aaron Johnson who took the title role, now I am not overly fond of films that go with the geeky teenage boy in the lead role but he plays it very well from his interactions with his friends and the hot girl in the film. Nicholas Cage plays Big Daddy and this would normally have been the lead role but the story is approached at from Kick-Ass point of view. He is almost a cameo but plays it quite well, I do think that a different actor would have got it better as all I thought was oooh Nic Cage and he gets to play a super hero. The best turn for me came from Chloe Moretz as Hit Girl she was sassy and well suited for the part, I have to say that her performance in this does give me hope for the upcoming remake of "Let the Right One In".

I would totally recommend this film to everybody, the only warning I would give is that there is some pretty extreme violence in it and some strong language but I think everybody is aware of that from the attention it has been getting.

I would give this 4/5 Kick-Ass costumed heroes.

Let me know if you have seen it and your thoughts on it, any feedback on my thoughts greatly appreciated.