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 * * * * *

Mamma Mia!

Synopsis

Longing to discover the identity of her true father before she exchanges her wedding vows, the daughter of a once-rebellious single mother secretly invites a trio of paternal candidates to her upcoming wedding in this feature adaptation of the beloved stage musical. Independent-minded single mother Donna (Meryl Streep) has always done her best to raise her spirited daughter, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), while simultaneously running a successful hotel on a small Greek island, but now the time has come for this hardworking mom to finally let go. In just a few days, Sophie will be married, and Donna will stand by bittersweetly as her little girl takes flight. Of course, Donna's lifelong friends Rosie (Julie Walters) and Tanya (Christine Baranski) will both be present at the wedding, but unbeknownst to the mother, Sophie has furtively invited three very special guests of her own. When Sophie walks down the aisle on that fateful day, she wants her father to hand her off. The only problem is that Donna has never revealed the true identity of Sophie's father, leaving the resourceful future bride to narrow the list down to three potential candidates. Now, as three key figures from Donna's past return to the picturesque Mediterranean shores they all walked 20 years prior, one beautiful bride will discover the secret of her past while one lonely mother finds out that it's never too late for a little romance.

Comment

If you go and see this film, you will have an absolute BLAST!!! This is the ultimate feel good movie! It provides strong performances from a star studded cast, as well as some excellent performances from rising stars such as Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls) and Dominic Cooper (History Boys). One of my favourite scenes is where Meryl delivers a powerful performance of The Winner Takes it All to her one true love Sam, played by Pierce Brosnan. There are some great dance performances like, Dancing Queen and Lay All Your Love On Me. Okay so the storyline itself isn't one of the strongest I've seen and you can tell that it was created just to link all the ABBA songs together, and does so quite unashamedly, but so what??? This is a great great movie that looks set to be a summer smash hit!

A tip.... Go and see this movie in the cinema, rather than waiting for the DVD as it's great on the big screen, also It helps if you like ABBA! There's 26 songs in this movie!

See the trailer HERE


Star Rating * * * * *

Hancock

Synopsis

There are heroes… there are superheroes… and then there’s Hancock. With great power comes great responsibility – everyone knows that – everyone, that is, but Hancock. Edgy, conflicted, sarcastic, and misunderstood, Hancock’s well-intentioned heroics might get the job done and save countless lives, but always seem to leave jaw-dropping damage in their wake. The public has finally had enough – as grateful as they are to have their local hero, the good citizens of Los Angeles are wondering what they ever did to deserve this guy.

Hancock isn’t the kind of man who cares what other people think – until the day that he saves the life of PR executive Ray Embrey, and the sardonic superhero begins to realize that he may have a vulnerable side after all. Facing that will be Hancock’s greatest challenge yet – and a task that may prove impossible as Ray’s wife, Mary, insists that he’s a lost cause.

Comment

From the moment this film opens, we are dazzled by the thrills and spills of out of this world special effects. This movie is action packed!

Aside from this, it's also very funny and I was surprised that this movie had quite a bot of adult humour in there!

A great fun film that impresses with it's big bucks Hollywood special effects that we have come to expect from a Will Smith action movie. The ending is a little predictable, but it's well worth a look.


See the Trailer HERE


Star Rating * * *