Film Reviews: 2014

17/12/14 Get Santa

A bit of a 'naff' Christmas film, but the only real choice out there in terms of Christmas films this year. Some good acting from young actor Kit Connor and Rafe Spall and some 'nice' settings in terms of make-believe lands - but apart from that - nothing to rave about. Although I didn't feel annoyed I had spent money (on Orange Wednesday however) on it, I won't be buying it on DVD. A few funny lines and and okay performance of Santa Clause by Jim Broadbent, but I would only suggest it if you are desperate to see a new Christmas film - my advice - stick with the classics.

My rating: 32 popcorns

10/12/14 Paddington

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It's fair to say I went into the screening a bit apprehensive that it was going to be childish but it certainly wasn't. I laughed the whole way through and even welled up at one point. With an all star cast, I would even go as far to say it was my favourite film of the entire year. Beautiful settings, excellent acting and terrific animation. I highly recommend this if you're after a feel good, light hearted, Christmassy film! I cannot fault it.

My rating: 95 popcorns

03/12/14 Interstellar

This film was two hours and forty minutes long - but I didn't get bored. In fact, it was quite spectacular. The special effects and cinematography were simply amazing. However: the concepts in the film became frustrating because they were just so unrealistic. Towards the end of the film I found myself saying 'this would never happen.' which I suppose is the point but it's hard to keep up with a film (especially this confusing story line directed by Christopher Nolan) when you don't believe in it. The science and education side of it was flawless and the acting from Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway deserves credit.

My rating: 82 popcorns

20/11/2014 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

Wow - what a film. As a fan of The Hunger Games I couldn't wait to see the next installment and it certainly did not disappoint. From extremely impressive graphics and effects to perfectly cast characters, there was so much to rave about. I haven't read the books, but the person who accompanied me to see it has and said that it was an excellent interpretation from Francis Lawerence.

My rating: 95 popcorns
Strongly recommend!

24/10/14 Love, Rosie

The typical genre of this was a feel-good film, although I'm not sure how good I felt when I left the cinema. The story line became super frustrating at points and also sometimes was extremely predictable. Credit has to go to the sound track for this film without a doubt, it was cool, clever and classy and really helped to make parts of the film that were lacking. Sam Claflin and Lily Collins were absolutely the right actors to cast for these pasts, and if they hadn't of been involved in the film, I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it so much. A little disappointed, but by far not the worst thing I've seen.

My rating: 63 popcorns

22/10/2014 Fury

There are so many War films about, but this one was by far one of the best I have seen. The casting was absolutely spot on, with Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf and Logan Lerman being the stand out actors. Shia LaBeouf's acting was incredible, making his breakdown seem non-existent. Logan Lerman portayed the mifit down to a tee and Brad Pitt had the hardcore, sargent act firmly under his belt. The story line had you gripped from start to finish and you became deeply attached to characters, rooting for the Americans. The special effects were good (not the best I have ever seen) but overall I thoroughly enjoyed this film and will definitely be buying it on DVD.

My rating: 90 popcorns

08/10/14 Dracula Untold

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Luke Evans was the perfect actor to be cast for the role of Dracula. The graphics and effects of the film were extremely good and the modern twist on the classic tale was enjoyable to watch. There were many characters to fall in love with and many reasons to keep your attention on the film. I can't wait for it to come out on DVD!

My rating: 89 popcorns

28/09/14 The Equalizer

Wow. What a film. I love it when I come out of the cinema and genuinely feel like I have just watched an amazing film, and this is what this was. It gave you everything, action, tension, drama, ups and downs and highs and lows. Denzel Washington was bad ass and he acted it wonderfully. I came out of the cinema with his mind-set for the rest of the evening, I felt like I could take on the world. The effects were superb and it wasn't just a typical action film, it took a real life problem and made it seem worth fighting for. I recommend this strongly and will definitely be buying it on DVD or maybe even going to see it in the cinema again if I can't wait that long.

My rating: 90 popcorns

25/09/14 A Walk Among the Tombstones

The anticipation and tension to go and see this film was huge, as I thought it was going to be super scary. It turns out it wasn't super scary, more along the lines of a thriller and just keeping you on the edge of your seat. It turned out to be really good. Liam Neeson was awesome as always and the storyline was really gripping. I fell in love with a character who you really rooted for the whole film. I would be lying if I didn't say this film was really messed up, because it was. It was psychologically weird, but somehow they made it work. Note to all: do not go and see this film if you are squeamish or don't like blood.

My rating: 80 popcorns

24/09/14 Magic in the Moonlight

I have never been so bored in the cinema in my whole life, and I've seen some pretty pants films. This film was simply terrible. The storyline was poor, the effects were laughable to watch because they were so bad and the acting was poor in parts, which is annoying because I love Colin Firth and Emma Stone especially. I found myself being completely distracted by anything else other than what was actually happening on screen. One of the poorest films I have seen.

My rating: 10 popcorns (and that's generous)

19/09/14 The Riot Club

For this film, I went into the cinema not seeing the trailer or hearing anything about it, which is quite unusual for me. However, this meant that I couldn't be disappointed as I did not expect much of it. To sum up, the film was 'good.' It didn't blow me away, but I didn't hate it. The story line was really shocking though, events untangled and I found myself with my hand over my mouth at points in shock at how horrible the story line was. Also, I love actor Sam Claflin and you were made to strongly dislike him in this film which sucks, but just goes to show how good an actor he is. Would I recommend it? Only if you really don't have anything else to see at your local cinema.

My rating: 62 popcorns

17/09/14 Sex Tape

This was a typical Rom-Com, the sort of thing that a girlfriend would drag her boyfriend to see unwillingly or two friends would go to see together. I laughed a few times, but not out-loud uncontrollable laughter that I would have liked to experienced. Cameron Diaz looked simply amazing in this film though, so I can see why that is an appealing factor. The storyline was humorous and I didn't feel disappointed when I left the cinema, but would I buy it on DVD? Probably not.

My rating: 65 popcorns

10/09/14 Lucy

I felt a bit let down by this film. The trailer made it look extremely good and I was drawn in by the trailer alone. However, it didn't really take off for me. There was action and guns and killings and Scarlett Johansson in tight-fitted outfits kicking ass, but the story line didn't really do anything. Plus, it did that really annoying thing that some films do where it just ends randomly and you feel like you have been left with questions unanswered, but not in a good way. The action-feel to it was good, but I just expected a little more.

My rating: 47 popcorns

06/08/14 The Inbetweeners 2

A sequel of a comedy film is always really hard to pull off, but to be fair to them, they did quite a good job. It has everything in it that you would expect, I laughed, I laughed some more and then I laughed again. But I also gagged at some of the extreme gross boy humour. Was it as good as the first one? Debateable, but they gave it a good shot.

My rating: 65 popcorns

05/08/14 Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

I was never really into the Planet of the Ape films until I jumped onto the band wagon last minute. I saw the trailer for this film and was immediately captivated by the close up of Ceaser's face, the graphic effects looked amazing so I decided I wanted to go and see it. But I hadn't seen Rise of the Planet of the Apes, so I watched that on Monday night and ended up going to see Dawn of the Planet of the Apes the next evening. To say I am now a fan of the Planet of the Ape films would be true. In just two days I was completely into them, gripping onto characters I loved wishing they didn't die and hating characters that you are suppose to hate. The special effects in this film are the best I have seen in any. The only thing I would say is less 'monkey talk' where the English is subtitled onto the screen, it was clever at first but then it got a little annoying.

My rating: 80 popcorns

02/08/14 Guardians of the Galaxy

Another superb film from Marvel. I went into the cinema not really expecting much from it and thinking that quite frankly, it was going to be a little childish. But I was wrong, the script was cleverly written so that young and older adults could enjoy the humour too. Chris Pratt acted it wonderfully and you automatically fell in love with Groot, the tree, voiced by Vin Diesel. I genuinely enjoyed watching this film and felt like when I left the cinema, I had a fun trip out - which is what the cinema should be all about.

My rating: 76 popcorns

Book signing!

Today I had a great experience in Oxford Street, London at a book signing for Sam Claflin and Lily Collin's new film: Love, Rosie

Here are some photos of the meet and greet we had with them, plus other cool stuff:

The book signing set: