The Day The Earth Stood Still

Synopsis

Humanity faces its greatest test with the unexpected arrival on Earth of an enigmatic alien named Klaatu (Keanu Reeves).
The stranger triggers an unprecedented global upheaval as governments and scientists race to unravel the mystery behind his appearance. In the midst of it all, Helen (Jennifer Connelly) and her young stepson Jacob (Jaden Smith) get caught up in the alien's mission. Klaatu describes himself as a "friend to the Earth" - a seemingly simple statement, but one which the humans slowly realise has cataclysmic implications. A contemporary reinvention of the 1951 science fiction classic - updated with cutting-edge special effects.

Comments

I did quite enjoy this film, however that what was more to do with the special effect than the plot line itself (and I don't just say that because my friend worked on this film either). A tad long winded and a disappointing ending. A great role for Keanu Reeves, as he didn't have to act that much! Kathy Bates was brilliant as always.

Watch the trailer HERE

Star Rating * * *

Four Christmasses

Synopsis

If you've ever had your Christmas plans wrecked by family obligations, then this is the comedy for you.
When affluent and 'happily unmarried' San Francisco couple Kate (Reese Witherspoon) and Brad (Vince Vaughn) find their Christmas plans scuppered by fog, they are forced to scrap the exotic vacation they've been looking forward to and instead embark upon precisely the kind of 'family obligation' holiday they've always avoided. Unable to escape, they make their way to no less than four different relative-choked festivities, increasingly mortified to find childhood fears raised, adolescent wounds reopened - and even their very future together rendered uncertain. As Brad counts the hours to when he can get away from parents, step-parents, siblings and assorted nieces and nephews, Kate is starting to hear the ticking of a different kind of clock. By the end of the day, she is beginning to wonder if their crazy families' choices are really quite so crazy after all?

Comments

I must admit I do enjoy a good Christmas film! (my all time favourite being It's a Wonderful Life). This film is really enjoyable and I found myself laughing out loud in parts! A predictable ending but well worth a look non the less.... a great Sunday film!

See the trailer HERE

Star rating * * * *

Ghost Town

Synopsis

"Ghost town" is a romantic comedy where Bertram Pincus, a misanthropic dentist (Ricky Gervais) who is not a people person, gets caught up in a supernatural love triangle. Pincus lives a fine line between life and death but however lucky he may be, it is just about to run out after he gains the unpleasant ability to see ghosts. Even worse is that every ghost he sees wants something from him, and they won‘t stop haggling him for it, at anytime day or night. Frank Herlihy (Greg Kinnear) is a ghost who befriends Pincus and seems hellbent on ruining his attempts to have a serious relationship with any women. His other ghostly friend (Alan Ruck), is competing with Frank for Pincus‘ attention. Pincus couldn‘t stand life with the living, now how is he going to cope with the dead?

Comments

I am really pleased that I went to see this film as I found myself laughing all the way through it. This film has everything... humour, tragedy, jumps, and is also set to be a classic weepy! I loved everything about it!!! Ricky Gervais has really come into his own and I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't the leading star in many Hollywood comedies from now on. If you feel and little bit low and fancy a Sunday afternoon of lighthearted humour that also guarantees a feel good factor then this is your film.... 'Ghost' for a new generation.

Watch the trailer HERE


Star Rating * * * * *

Mirrors

Synopsis

Kiefer Sutherland stars as an NYPD detective-turned-security guard who discovers something sinister lurking in the mirrors of a fire-damaged department store in Haute Tension writer/director Alexandre Aja's menacing study in the origins of evil. It's been just about a year since mercurial police detective Ben Carson (Sutherland) was suspended from the NYPD for the fatal shooting of an undercover officer, and ever since that fateful day he's been locked in a self-destructive spiral of anger and alcoholism. Increasingly isolated from his wife and kids, Ben spends most nights crashed-out at his sister Angela's (Amy Smart) apartment in Queens. But Ben hasn't given up hope just yet, and in order to get his life back together and prove that he's still capable of supporting his family he takes a job as the night watchman at the Mayflower department store. The Mayflower used to be a lavish symbol of inner-city prosperity, that is, until a raging inferno gutted the building while claiming numerous lives in the process. These days, the Mayflower is a scorched reminder of human misery, the ornate mirrors therein reflecting a suffering so profound that it begins to wear on Ben's already-fragile psyche. Not only that, but whatever force dwells behind the shimmering glass seems to have gained the power to alter reality as well. After Ben gazes into the mirrors and sees a vision of himself being relentlessly tortured, he is horrified to experience violent convulsions, spontaneous bleeding, and frightening asphyxiation. And while his sister is always willing to lend a sympathetic ear, she chalks the anomalies up to an unusually potent mix of stress and anxiety. Unfortunately for Ben, his estranged wife, Amy (Paula Patton), isn't nearly as forgiving. A prosaic NYPD medical examiner who has seen her fair share of tragedy, Amy fears that Ben's erratic behavior could be placing their children in danger. Later, as Ben begins to draw connections between his increasingly gruesome visions and a former Mayflower security guard who vanished without a trace, he begins to suspect that an unimaginable evil is using the mirrors as a gateway into the real world, and that his family is in mortal danger from forces beyond their realm of understanding. Perhaps if he Ben can manage to convince Amy that their children's lives are at risk, he can summon the courage to face the greatest evil he has ever known.

Comments

Although this film has incredible special effects and is very scary in parts, it has an incredibly slow start that made me detach from the plot somewhat and so, when the film finally decided to take off I had lost a lot of interest. There are some very memorable scenes and a brilliant ending though which for me became it's saving grace.

See the trailer HERE


Star Rating * * *

The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas

Synopsis

Bruno, is the son of strict commander of a Nazi concentration camp. He has a strong headed sister, Gretel. They live in a five storey mansion, but are one day suddenly moved to a place called Out-With (Auschwitz). Bruno, outraged by his father's decision to move to Out-With, and desperate to go home, spends his time in his room with no friends. He is also annoyed by the fact that they live in a three story house instead of their old five-story mansion, and with such a small space, there isn't any room for exploration (a hobby of Bruno's) to be done. He also misses sliding down the banister in their old house. From his bedroom window, Bruno spots a fence with people in striped pyjamas behind it. These are the Jews, and they are in a concentration camp. One day his parents come to an agreement that both Bruno and Gretel need a tutor for their education so they hire Herr Liszt. To Bruno, Herr Liszt is the most boring teacher one could ever have - because he teaches science instead of the arts, which Bruno prefers. So, in boredom and confusion he wonders what is going on at Out-With and why people are always dressed in striped pajamas there.

Comments

It's really hard to put into words how this film made me feel. The film itself is incredible, powerful and deeply moving. Seeing the story of the holocaust through the innocent eyes of an 8 year old was very profound indeed. All of us in that packed cinema left in total silence, unable to find words. This film had such an impact on me that I spent the whole might dreaming about concentration camps.It's certainly a film you won't forget in a while.

GO SEE THIS FILM!

See the Trailer HERE

Star Rating * * * * * +

The Strangers

Synopsis

Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler play James Hoyt and Kristen McKay, a couple who are at an awkward point in their relationship are besieged by masked psychopaths in their idyllic home in this slasher horror. After attending a friend's wedding the young couple return to their holiday home in a street full of other such homes which appear to be empty. A fact which is of little interest to the young couple until they hear an unexpected knock at the door. Things are already tense between them, as Kristin has been less than receptive to James' marriage proposal. Just when it seems that they may enter a conversation that leads them to say things they'll regret forever, Kristin is relieved by the knock at the door. Until that is what they open the door to begins a night of unbelievable terror. This film is inspired by true events and marks the directorial debut of Bryan Bertino.

Comment

Now either I'm getting too old for these kind of films, or my heart is getting weaker! From the moment there is a knock at the door (roughly about 10 minutes in) till the credits roll. This film has you hiding behind your hands or jumping out of your skin. I even considered leaving half way through as the intensity was almost too much to cope with!

That said, this is horror at it's most terrifying. With classic scenes off 'these someone else in the house' to 'don't go outside' this film beats the blood and gore slasher movies that we've had to endure over the last 15 years or so. The Strangers will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Brilliant!

See the trailer HERE


Star Rating * * * * *

The Dark Knight

Synopsis

Batman (Christian Bale) continues to eliminate crime in Gotham City with the help of Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). The Dark Knight wants to finally get rid of organized crime for good and be free of their corruption. Batman soon finds that a new psychopathic mastermind known as the Joker (Heath Ledger) has taken over organized crime. After the fall of Carmine Falcone, the remaining crime bosses try to pick up the pieces. However, the Joker is killing them off one by one. The Joker's plan is to terrify the citizens and throw the city into chaos, and then kill Batman. Batman takes the fight with the Joker personal, which makes him confront his own beliefs. The Joker is the most dangerous criminal that Batman has encountered, and he will need all his strength and vigilance to defeat him.

Comment

I bought 'Batman Begins' last week so I could watch it before going to see this "Must See" movie and although I enjoyed the DVD, I was a little disappointed as I found it quiet heavy going. I realise now that this first installment was laying the foundations for The Dark Knight.

The Dark Knight is nothing short of AWESOME!

The film, although over 150 minutes long, went by in an instant and I never for one moment feeling bored or distracted.

The movie is dark, scary and a thrill a minute. It has you jumping out of your skins in parts and quaking with fear. The acting is brilliant, Christian Bale was born to play Batman and YES I have to agree with the movie reviewers who are saying that Heath Ledger gave his finest acting performance of his career. Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Cain were also all superb in the supporting roles making The Dark Knight worthy of the title 'Biggest Box Office Debut Ever'!

See the Trailer HERE

Star Rating * * * * *