Let Me In (2010)

This film is the US remake of Let the Right One in, I loved the original and was apprehensive about seeing this. Even though all of the hype I heard was that it was good, as well as not liking based on true stories I also am not a big fan of remakes. However I have to say that this film was a pleasant surprise, it is not a direct shot for shot remake but is basically the same story as the original.

I have to say that I am a massive fan of Chloe Moretz and I look forward to seeing what she does in the future and when I see her name attached to anything I will go and see it. Kodi Smit-McPhee is also very good, he really captured what the character needed and again I look forward to his future career. I think it was massively important that they secured the child actors as the original was so good because of that and they got it so right.

I give this film 4 stars, the only reduction is due to the fact that it is a remake of an awesome film and was not really needed but is still worth seeing.

Paul (2010)

I was looking forward to seeing this film as I am a big fan of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's previous ventures in to film in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. I was not disappointed by this film at all, the sci-fi references alone made the whole thing worth watching and I cannot wait to see it again and see the references I most likely missed.

This is a must see for all Science fiction film fans, I have to say that the Seth Rogan factor did not interfere with my enjoyment as he is only in it as a voice. The geek in me rejoices at the twists and turns and the references within some of the scenes actually made me laugh out loud and curl up with enjoyment.

This is a 5 star masterpiece to science fiction and comedy and a must see for all fans of the genre the references alone if not the story will blow you away.

Thor 3D (2011)

Cinema April 2011

So I went to see this at the cinema in 3D and I hated it, the 3D that is. I am finally finished worrying about seeing films in 3D so this is the last time I will go and see a film in 3D, the extra money you pay is not worth it.

The film itself was okay, at the start I was taken out of it by the 3D and was distracted during the fight scenes and the action. Overall it is an origin movie for a super hero it has been done many times before and will be done many times again in the future. It is getting really boring to me as there is so much set up and it is really by the numbers.

The performances are okay Chris Hemsworth was likable enough and Natalie Portman who seems to be in everything at the moment is as good as you would expect from her, the film itself just did not grab me and is really just a long set up for the Avengers movie.

Overall there is nothing great or terrible about the film so it ends up with a 3 out of 5 from me, will not be interested in re-watching it, but if you like comic books and cannot wait for the Avengers then go and see the origin, let me know what you think of the end.

Children of the Corn (1984)

I watched this film on a Sunday morning while ironing, I had the box set and thought it would be worth watching as I had not seen any of them before. Not knowing anything about this i think I thought it would be like Village of the Damned (which I have never seen either). So I was surprised at how the film went.

With Linda Hamilton in a role that puts her back in the Terminator Sarah Connor role, the lost victim that needs to be saved. The story is pretty simple in today's market place the impact is a bit lost as there is little shocking gore and you are looking at a lot of kids. I think in it's time it would have been quite scary, however the end effects are not very good, typical Stephen King where the ending of his stories suck as he cannot end his excellent suspense stories.

I think that this is a 2 star film for me, there are some good scares and some good performances but to be honest it did not grip me and I don't think i will be in a rush to watch 2 and 3 but i am interested to see where they decide to go.

Kick-Ass (2010) (2nd Review)

This was a second watch for me after I saw this film in the cinema, this was the first film in the cinema that I had laughed out loud for a very long time, and because I saw it opening weekend it was a mutual experience as the packed cinema all laughed.

So watching it on DVD I was unsure if I would enjoy it as much as I had in the cinema, I had no worries after starting to watch it, while alone I was not inclined to laugh out loud but I had a smile on my face at all of the jokes and comical scenes.

When Kick-Ass 2 comes out I will be at the cinema to see that opening weekend as this film was fantastic, it get 5 stars as it is a film that I will watch again and again. Which is a step up from my original review which you can see here.

Sucker Punch (2011)

Went to the cinema with my Father-in-Law to be, as I go to the cinema a lot I let him choose, he decided to go with something I had not seen, so we went to see Sucker Punch. I was unsure about this film the trailer was not to clear how this film would work. I have to say that visually like all of Zack Snyder's film's it was stunning, the fight scenes and special effects are awesome.

However within 20 minutes of seeing this film I had a couple of ideas how it would have worked so much better, if the opening scene was moved to the end, if the start of the film was about 10 minutes later with the priest, that will make sense to those that have seen it. I think the ending would have had much more impact, the cross over of Fantasy and real life would have been a more awesome to me than the actual end.

Because of the scenes of awesome and the visual effects i am going to give the film 2 stars, the story just did not work for me, the performances worked and cannot fault the actresses within the film.

Date Night (2010)

I first saw this film in the cinema when it came out and i really enjoyed it, my fiancee however loved it and when it came out on DVD she was really keen to get it so we picked it up. I was interested to watch it again and see if the comedy from this film would hold up. Now in the first instance I do not know Tina Fey other than the comedienne that played Sarah Palin and I not a fan of Steve Carrell. However this film makes me love them a lot.

I laughed so much I had tears running down my face while re-watching this, the comedy timing is impeccable, the jokes are funny, the situations that arise in the film are hard to believe however the reactions from the eads are very funny as they are realistic.

This is a pure comedy 5 star film, the performances are epic and the laughs are many, I think that if you have not yet seen this film then make it a priority.

Scream 4 (2011)

Cinema April 18th 2011

I love the Scream series, 3 is a weak installment and it pushes the bounds of what the first 2 achieved for me. In hearing that 4 was coming I was excited, the original film was to me the start of new horror films that it was to everybody else. And I was interested to see what they would do bringing the series back with it being within the hands of Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson.

Right from the start and the opening scene I was hooked in and did not see the start coming and it was great. The overall film itself was a bit predictable in what was going to happen and I guessed some of the end, however I did enjoy what they did with the whole film.

As a lover of the series I give this installment 4 stars, it will not appeal to everyone however if you have an enjoyment of the Scream series then you will enjoy this film.

Return to Oz (1985)

DVD March 2011

I watched this film on the reccomendation of my GF, a favorite of her youth. I was aware of this film but cannot remember ever watching it fully, I think I had seen it but it had not remained memorable with me. So we sat down to watch this on a weekend where we watched a few films.

This is a dark film the creatures created from the winged couch which is friendly to the troll king quite dark characters and the headless queen. I enjoyed this film it is certainly simply a re-do of the classic Wizard of Oz. It is an interesting film and enjoyable for kids, would probably mean more if you saw it when you were younger.

I would say 2 stars the problems with this other than the fact that it is an 80's film set in the 30's and the continuity from the original is hard to agree. And the effects of the Scarecrow, tin-man and cowardly Lion are just ridiculous.

Blind Side (2009) (2nd Review)

DVD February 2011

What can I say, I love this film, it is the first film I took my now Fiancee to go and see and I got it for her on our first Christmas together and it is a film I have now had the pleasure of watching 3 times.

Every time I see it I enjoy it just as much, the tears flow and the laughs come and it you know even though this is based on a true story and i usually mark it down for that I cannot mark this film down for anything. Considering the content and my usual kind of movies, horror, sci-fi and fantasy I cannot say anything bad about this film.

I give an interesting detailed view here, this was under the old format where I tried to link all over the place but I am now a year down the line and still I will watch this film amny more times in the years to come

5 stars for this film and an insistance that you have to see it at some point.

Limitless (2011) (2nd Review)

Cineworld, Falkirk April 13th.

I have a magical Cineworld Unlimited card that lets me see as many films a month as I want to, I want to use it as often as possible but do enjoy going to the cinema with other people. So when my now future Father in law said he wanted to see this film I was happy to go a long as my ticket was already paid for.

I enjoyed this film the first time and have had bad experiences going to see a film I enjoyed a second time. However this was still as enjoyable, it was fun knowing how it all worked out and looking for the links and leads to the future happenings.

I have to say that there are some critical human flaws shown by the main character that if you are being picky make you think I wouldn't do that, the film does actually address that point in one of his conversations so it works if you are able to pay full attention.

My original thoughts can be found here.

My rating for this film still remains as 4 stars and a must see, enjoyable fun.

Final Destination 2 (2003)

March 2011 - DVD

So after watching the first film I was ready to watch the second, which I always thought was my favorite of the series. HOwever on re-watching this I was disappointed, while the start of events is awesome and so well filmed and the death scenes are awesome I was not as engaged in this re-watch as I was in the first film.

The concept behind this story is very clever, they tie into the first film with all the "survivors" this time having been saved because of the deaths of the first victims. Which is interesting, however it stretches that everybody in the crash was "saved" by the events of the first film which just leads to out of control.

Also the lead of this film, A J Cook was able to re-visit her vision which put me off a bit as well, overall I was disapponted by this film on this re-watch, I give it 2 stars on re-watching, worth seeing for the first time but not re-watching.

Final Destination (2000)

I love this series of films and decided before heading on my holiday to rewatch the 1st 2 anyway so started with the original. I love the concept behind these films and what they acheived in the first one was fantastic. You had the supernatural element of "Death" stalking your group of typical teens.

In re-watching this film for what might be the 10th time I like the attention to detail they go to, I have to be honest and say that while not taking the Devon Sawa character seriously, after the first couple of "survivors" die i would perhaps have investigated the possibility of keeping them safe. I do think that the character was deliberitly played a bit to crazy.

I would reccomend these films, they are not for everyone but have enough scares and well thought out plot points that they will entertain you. I am going to give this film 4 stars.

Battle:Los Angeles (2011)

March 2011

I was intrigued by this film and when I chose to see it I was looking forward to it, I like to think it appeals to the man in me that likes explosions and guns. I was not disappointed, it is the story of a group of soldiers defending LA against a horde of invading aliens. It put me in mind of Independance Day but on a smaller more localised scale, instead of it being all of America it was a major city.

This film is full of holes and lacks a realistic plot, however if you like big guns, camradarie and lots of explosions then you will enjoy the film. It does not try to pretend to be anything it is not and that is probably the problem, they could have done more with the film looking at the aliens and why they were on Earth but there was a predicability about the whole film and the biggest surprise was that it was not left obviously open for a sequel.

I would say 3 stars for the film, it does what you think it will do and if you switch your brain off at the door it is enjoyable.

Labyrinth (1986)

March 2011, BluRay

Re-watching this film started as a conversation with the GF about whether she had seen "Bowie's Package"? She had not, so I said we had to watch this. I then saw that my friend had the BluRay so borrowed it and then I got to see this film from my childhood again.

I loved this film as a child, the fantasy, the characters and Jim Henson's puppets. It holds up as a film as a 33 year old child enjoying the antics of the puppets and the fact that you can believe they are real. The transfer to BluRay is exceptional as well while not shot in HD the picture is clear and the colour is fantastic.

I rate this films as 4 Stars it is awesome but there are a few scenes that I did not remember and are really distractions for children, it is worth seeing if you enjoy films aimed at younger audiences.

Unknown (2011)

March 2011

I went to this film with my girlfirends father as he is a big Liam Neeson fan, so I had very limited expectations, however I did enjoy Liam in Taken. An basically it is Taken with Amnesia, he goes around trying to find himself and in some ways what he finds is intriguing and the twists in the film are awesome.

Liam brings a depth of character to all the parts that he plays that you cannot help but enjoy whatever part he is playing and in his new role as an action hero he is easy to get behind.

This film has some excellent supporting characters with January Jones as his wife and Diane Kruger as Gina the Taxi driver, there is also an excellent turn as Bruno Ganz who helps Liam find information to who he is.

This is a 4 star film, it is an enjoyable exciting action flick with enough intrigue to keep you interested, go and see it.

Alien (1979)

March 2011

When I was on holiday we were given the chance to view a film, this film was not my choice but I was still happy enough to see it again. I have a mixed history with Alien as I have to be honest and say that the action packed Sequel from James Cameron is more to my liking than the Ridley Scott thriller.

However since a weekend in 2009 when I watched all of the Alien films and their directors cuts and the Predator and AVP films I have a new love for this film. I do not think that the Directors cut brings that much to the film as it is tense and genuinely scary as it stands and the major scene that was added back at the end doesn't add that much to the overall film.

I love this series of films, it peeks with Aliens and 3 is a strange divisive film but Alien is definitely a 4 star film in my eyes, it will terrify you and intrigue you if you have never seen it. The Directors cut is not a must see in this case,

Absentia (2011)

Horror Hound Weekend, Indianapolis 2011, 25th March

This was the second film that I tried to see at Horror Hound Weekend in Indianapolis the first will not be mentioned as it was horrible and I did not see the end of it, so going into this film I had no idea what to expect.

It is tense in bits however it did drag quite a lot I came out of it and felt it had been closer to 2 hours than the 90 mins it was on for. There is also a bit of confusion over the story, they try not to give to much through exposition within the film, however it does not deliver the information it needs to to make you care that much.

Also due to the basic premise of the film, man has been missing for 7 years before you can declare them "Dead in Absentia" and the story starts with his wife who is pregnant, you think that the story could go so many ways and then goes some where different and i felt that while it was interesting the directions for a horror film I came up with in my head seemed to be more fun to me at the time.

I will not be rushing out to see this film if it gets a release but would recommend that horror fans and people who like a bit of thinking in their films should go and see it. I will give it 3 stars for a good effort.

Despicable Me (2010)

DVD - 10th April 2011

I got this DVD for my birthday after going to see the film in the cinema when it came out. Since I saw the first trailer for this film I knew I would love it, it is really pitched at my level which says a lot about my mental age. I enjoyed this film on DVD just as much as I did in the cinema.

Steve Carell and Russell Brand star in this film as the voices of Gru and Dr Nefario and i am not a fan of either of them, don't dislike them just do not look forward to their films. However in this they are bot fantastic, Dr Nefario is so different to Russell Brand you do not know it is him, so do not let the stars put you off seeing this film.

The laughs keep coming and the bad guy turned good story has been fairly well used recently but the minions and Steve Carell's portrayal of Gru with the girls bringing their own charm this is a must see film in my opinion.

This gets my 5 star seal of awesome it is great film for all the family and should be enjoyed on a regular basis.

Adjustment Bureau (2011)

Cinema in Edinburgh, 7th March 2011.

I saw this as a Sci-Fi chase film with a shady Government organisation controlling Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, I was wrong in some ways.

This was an interesting film with many ideas that i had not seen before and an interesting concept, it is a love story within a fantasy idea, that could be real for all we know. There is an interesting wee twist right at the end that made me smile and I liked what it did and where it went a really good film.

Matt Damon and Emily Blunt worked well together and the direction from George Nolfi was good. Go and see this film it has the action the boys want and the romance the girls like.

I give it 4 stars, it is not perfect but a very enjoyable film that everybody can watch and enjoy.

Tucker & Dale Vs Evil (2010)

Horror Hound Weekend Indianapolis, 26th March 2011.

I saw this film when on holiday at the Horror Hound Weekend, Horror convention based in Indianapolis, IN. This is a festival that show for short films, unreleased and amateur films and Tucker & Dale vs Evil was there as well.

This film is awesome and it is hilarious, it is College kids go to the woods and meet Hillbillies but you get to follow the Hillbillies, Tucker and Dale. The two groups run into each other throughout the film and shenanigans ensue.

This is a dark comedy and I laughed so much throughout it. I think that part of this is due to the atmosphere I was surrounded by slightly drunk, horror loving Americans and it was a reactive piece. The only problem was that some of the effects had not been completed and also there were a group of idiots sitting beside us talking and being distracting.

When this film gets the wide release it deserves (fingers crossed) I will go and see it in the cinema and hopefully the crowd that time will be better behaved but they will still laugh at the funny scenes. I am going to give the film 5 stars as it was very funny and gory and hit all the right marks and it would be unfair to mark it down because of the audience I saw it with.

Conviction (2010)

In-Flight Movie on Demand, 19th March 2011.

When I got settled on the plane and had a quick look at what was available I jumped at the chance to watch this film, I had wanted to see it when it was in the cinema but had not seen it, I was not disappointed.

Sam Rockwell has yet to disappoint me in his performances I have only seen Moon and Iron man 2 that I know he was in, both times and in this he was awesome. Now again it runs a foul of the based on a true story issue I have, so I mark it down for that. However the performances of Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell are awesome and the film is worth seeing simply for that.

I am going to give it 4 stars as it is well acted and the story is interesting and worth seeing.

Tangled (2010)

In-Flight Movie on Demand 19th March 2011.

The newest Disney film for me to watch was highly anticipated as I have to say that I do like a good animated film and Disney know what they are doing in that regard. Now you could say that this is a kids film and you would be correct, however at heart i am big kid.

I always enjoy what can be done with animated films and have to say that the retelling of "Rapunzel" was excellent. The story nfolds with the usual slap stick comedy for kids and a cool running gag through-out the film. The poster and trailer mis-lead slightly on where all the characters sit but this is a small gripe.

Going to give the film 4 stars as it is a really enjoyable film with lots for the kids and parents, but it is not an instant classic and will not be re-watched countless times as other disney classics are.

Hall Pass (2011)

Cinema in Falkirk, 2nd April 2011.

I went to see this as part of a double bill, it was the next film to start after Source Code. I had wanted to see it more as the GF is a big comedy fan, however I do not like humour that makes you cringe as you are laughing at someone not with them. Anyway i thought why not.

I really do not know how disappointed I am, which is to say I am disappointed but it delivers what you would expect from a guy gross out comedy. I laughed sevarl times at some of the jokes and the situations within the film, however there was a promtional shot with Stephen Merchant that I had seen and thought he would have been in the film more so was disappointed as the scene had been cut and he was not in it that much.

I think that Peter and bobby Farrelly got the right idea about guys when they are with other guys and thinking that they can have any woman they see but are held back by being married. They did not take it as far as they could have, the Hangover was extreme and believable in some sort of way and this could of gone as crazy as that did.

Only going to give it 2 stars out of 5 as while it is funny in some places I feel it missed it's mark.

Source Code (2011)

Cinema in Falkirk, 2nd April 2011.

Just saw the new film from Duncan Jones the man that made Moon (@manmademoon on twitter) and it was fricking awesome. I am a Sci-Fi and horror film fan so the trailers for this definitely pushed my Sci-Fi buttons and I was not disappointed.

Jake Gyllenhaall never disappoints me I have to say that he plays a character that you like and you are with him from the beginning as he learns things as you do. Now the story is not that original, however there were a few times that I was pleasantly surprised as you have two realities going on. You can guess what is going to happen at times but they deliver it in such a way that I looked forward to it, I think I saw some things coming as I have seen a lot of films.

I think will give this film the first 5 star rating I have given any under my new reviewing system, I really enjoyed the whole thing, there are a few things that could have been done differently on the whole I was thoroughly entertained and intrigued to see what would happen which is the point of films.

Limitless (2011)

Cinema in Texas, 21st March 2011.

The trailer for this film hooked me, it mis-directs and boom you have the film, go and see it, the Sci-Fi to me was pretty good with a few twists of WTF which is always good. The concept is interesting and enticing and to me it is a film that is worth seeing, just to see what they imagine with the powers they give Bradley Cooper.

I went to see this film in a Texas filmhouse that served beer and food while you watched the film, this to me was awesome and may have tinted my view of the film, however on reflection I do think that it was a good film and is well worth a watch. Anna Friel is great in it as is Bradley, 2 actors that I actually really like and hope that the succeed as I think they are nice people, strange how watching films can let you form oppionons about actors, isn't it?

I give this fim 4 out of 5 stars, does not get top marks as I fear that the experience in which I saw it has tainted my view, you never know if I get a chance to re-watch this film I may actually change a score that I hav given a film, we will see this could be a new dimension to how I deal with my blog.

If you read my blog please let me know, it would be good to know that somebody is reading whether you agree or disagree, thanks.

The Fighter (2010)

TV Texas, 20th March 2011.

Now this recommendation came to me from a very strange place, my father, now I am a movie fan and go to the cinema about once a week and watch as many films as I can, my Dad goes once a year and is usually really unimpressed with whatever he sees. He went to see the Fighter and actually took the time to recommend it to me, so I had to try and see it.

I got the opportunity while in Texas with @Timbo_T we bought it on box office and sat down to watch it with beers in hand, I have to say that I loved it, the only thing other than my Dad's recommendation was an answer Micky Ward gave in an interview that Christian Bale played his brother to perfection "It was like looking at Dicky." To paraphrase his answer, so I was piqued with the recommend from my Dad was keen to see it and I loved it.

Mark Whalberg not always the best actor actually gives Micky some character and you feel for and learn to like him and understand the decisions he makes. The based on a true story always gets to me but this story as one I was vaguely aware of (they had made a movie about it) was compelling and enjoyable. The people are real and the struggles and decisions they make are real and you actually want them all to win, the Oscar nods were well worth it.

I give this 4 out of 5 stars, again I only drop the 1 star due to based on a true story which always means that there might be lies and also the imagination of what could have been is lost to me, go and see this film as soon as you can.

Mr Troop Mom (2009)

In-flight Movie on Demand, 1st April 2011

This was the third film that I saw on my flight home, I saw it as while staying Chicago I had the pleasure of watching the George Lopez show on nick@nite, sad I know but I actually found myself really enjoying George and laughing out loud.

I was not disappointed in the movie as it was made for pre-teen girls and i am pretty sure it delivered what the target audience was expected to like. There were a few laugh out loud moments, the bear stands out, but overall this film was not for me. If you like the Disney, happy ever after them go for it, if you have girls in the house under 12 go for it, however I have to say stay away.

I give this 2 stars out of 5, it does not deserve 1 as the actors do a fine job with the script and direction and they delver what is expected.

The Social Network (2010)

In-Flight Movie on Demand, 31st March 2011

I avoided this film for the longest time, due to the fact that David Fincher scares me, I loved Fight Club, Se7en was a strange film I need to re-watch and Zodiac annoyed me because of the outcome, true story what can you do. I liked the alternative cut for Alien 3 but every time I hear David finchers name I get scared so I stayed away. And again on the flight home today I got a chance to see it for free, what are you gonna do so I pressed play.

I was not disappointed it is an awesome film, I am really unsure how I am supposed to feel about Mark Zuckerburg, he is rich and powerful, and he does not seem to care, he appeared to seriously screw over his best friend, he could not have got where he was without Eduardo but listened to others. This is of course if the film of "Facebook" is to be believed.

If you have the slightest interest in Facebook, the creation of it or even just good movies then you should see this film, it is an exploration and if half of what it depicts as truth is right I finally have the 5th member of my ultimate dinner party in the guise of Mark Zuckerburg as he seems to be an interesting character and I would really like to speak to him and understand his motivations and also find out what really happened.

I give this film 4 stars out of 5, it loses as star as it is "based on a true story" and I never really trust these films, however it did not actullay state this at the start of the film. See it if you can.

Easy A (2010)

In-Flight Movie on Demand, 1st April 2011.

I saw this on the plane back from Chicago today, I had heard good things about it and I had to be told off twice for laughing to much. There are some hilarious scenes in this film, some excellent acting and an interesting story that I have never seen done before (does not mean that it has not been done).

I like Emma Stone after her work in Zombieland I wanted to look out for her and did not really know what the film was about when it came to the cinemas, so given the opportunity on a 8 hour flight i thought why not and it was well worth the time invested.

I think that anybody that appreciates good comedy and an honest original story then you should give this film a go.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.