The Wolverine

Wolverine at his best...

The Wolverine is a film about perhaps one of the best mutants there are, the Wolverine. Hugh Jackman returns to the role and once again shows us why we all idolise the character so much.

For those who haven't seen the previous X Men films, it isn't vital that you do. The film can stand alone for the most parts, bar the scenes with Jean Grey. I do however want to make this crucial announcement that there is a scene shortly after the credits! Many people had left the theatre before this which is a huge shame because there is actually a huge surprise/ reveal which acts as a little homage to next years 'X Men: Days of future past'. Please do watch this! You will regret it you don't. I was so close to leaving before realising there was another scene.

So anyway, 'The Wolverine' has really taken a branch off from the X Men and has really focused down on Logan and how he is coping after the incidents of X Men the Last Stand. 

I admit to actually viewing the film in 3D which was actually quite impressive to my surprise due to the beautiful locations where the film was shot. The majority of the film which is set in Japan, consists of numerous locations from urban cities, to remote sea side locations and laboratories. The film was definitely worth seeing 3D and it was clear from the camera angles and shots that the film was created with this in mind. 

The new cast consisting of Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima and Svetlana khodchenkova, I felt were really strong and definitely kept the audience engaged in all the action. 

Once again the famous claws of Wolverine featured in most of the fight sequences and action scenes, the best of which I felt took place on the train.  Hugh Jackman I also felt delivered a very emotional performance showing us the more vulnerable and human side of the Wolverine. 

I loved the opening sequence and felt that the plot was fairly intriguing, although may have become slightly complex towards the end. On the whole I really enjoyed the film, however I do think I enjoy when the mutants are together within the X Men films.

Which leads me to next years film. I generally can't wait, especially after watching the comic con appearances from the huge cast, including the younger generation (James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender) with the older generation (Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman) etc. I have a good feeling about the film and look forward to seeing a film consisting of such good diverse actors!

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

The Longest Yard

Adam Sandler, once again another hysterical film!

The longest yard is a brilliant comedy set around a character named Paul Crewe a former quarterback football star. The film is actually a remake of a 1974 called 'Mean Machine', this title is carried through into this through the naming of thr prison inmates football team (Mean Machines) which are set to play against the prison guards.

Another interesting fact about the film is that the original star, Burt Reynolds, who played Paul Crewe in the 1974 film stars in this film as Coach Nate Scarborough, meanwhile Sandler takes on the the role of Crewe. Chris Rock also plays a loveable character in the film called 'caretaker'.

I have to say the tension between inmates and guards was very entertaining and although it's not necessarily a good idea to side with a lot of criminals, this film does definitely position you to despise the Warden and the guards and love the violent convicts.

It is also entertaining how a particular group of convicts like to dress as women whilst cheering on the team. Admittedly this is rather unusual, but oddly amusing anyway.

The basic storyline is that Paul Crewe is sentenced to prison after stealing his girlfriend's car whilst being drunk and taking part car chase as he is pursed by police. Initially he gets a hard time in prison, being viewed as a star who thinks he is above everyone else. Things soon turn around however as he is asked to lead the team.

Being an MTV, there is definitely clear techniques such as the unusual editing and framing of the shots. There is also a particular attention to the music used throughout the film, reflecting MTV's music styles etc.

I really enjoyed this film and found it very amusing. The convicts, though dangerous became loveable and entertaining to watch.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Hotel Transylvania

Such an entertaining animation...

I was really pleasantly surprised by how funny this film is. I've always been a fan of Adam Sandler and I really loved his version of Count Dracula in this film. I often found myself forgetting that it was him actually voicing the role as I become so absorbed by the character. 

I loved the interesting twist of humans being made out to look like the dangerous and threatening ones  rather than the traditional story of humans being victimised by monsters. 

Hotel Transylvania is filled with your typical monsters: Frankenstein, mummies, vampires, werewolves, etc. I found that the cast did a really good of bringing these characters to life and making them funny for children. 

Selena Gomez was also good as the voice to Count Dracula's 118 year old daughter Mavis. Furthermore the adult humour references make the film also appealing to older audiences.

The music was quite unusual for the genre and yet I found it quite catchy.

Overall I think this is a cute enjoyable film and helps to portray monsters as less scary to children and more entertaining.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Now you see me

Incredible! This film was everything I hoped it would be! Cinema magic...

The opening,which I daren't spoil is awesome, how this trick is done I will never know (If you know don't tell me!). I felt that the opening to the film was really strong and immediately pulled the audience in. I loved seeing how the four horsemen came to be and experiencing a little bit of their individual street magic beforehand.

The four horsemen are played by Jesse Eisenberg (J.Daniel Atlas), Isla Fisher (Henley Reeves), Dave Franco (Jack Wilder) and Woody Harrelson (Merritt McKinney). Together they were so entertaining as the collection of rebellious magicians. I think Woody Harrelson in particular was my favourite as the mentalist who can read people and hypnotise audiences.

I think this film is definitely one to watch in the cinema. The spectacle of the film is awesome, particularly with the magic performed on stage.  On a larger screen and surround sound, it is easy to become submerged in the magic of the film and feel like a real audience watching the horsemen live on stage.

Additionally I felt that the rest of the cast: Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Mark Ruffalo and Melanie Laurent, were brilliant. I felt myself consistently entertained by the contrast of the intelligence of the magicians and of the FBI agent Dylan Rhodes (Ruffalo).

The twists of the film are kept well hidden and therefore come as a surprise at the end. I have to say am surprised by the mixed reception the film has had, but I personally loved the film. It was clever and entertaining and who doesn't love a bit of magic. The casting for this film was perfect and I really loved the cinematography and how well the camera was used as a device to mirror our eyes and how we view magic as an audience.

I really recommend this and definitely think that the cinema is the best place to view it if you are considering it.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

July Nominations

Here are this month's nominations:


Best Film:

Now you see me
The Wolverine
Pacific Rim
The World's End
The Internship

Best Actor:

Hugh Jackman -The Wolverine
Simon Pegg- The World's End
Vince Vaughn- The Intership
Jesse Eisenberg- Now you see me



Best Actress:

Isla Fisher-Now you see me
Rosamund Pike- The World's End

Fameke Janssen-The Wolverine
Katie Chang- The Bling Ring


Best Actor in a supporting role:

Michael Caine- Now you see me
Martin Freeman- The World's End
Will Yun Lee- The Wolverine





Best Actress in a Supporting role:

Rose Byre- The Internship
Svetlana Khodchenkova- The Wolverine
Claire Julian- The Bling Ring





Best Director:

Shawn Levy- The Internship
Louis Leterrier - Now You See Me
James ManGold- The Wolverine
Edgar Wright- The World's End

June Winners

Thanks to those who voted for the polls this month, it helps to put this together and makes it a lot easier to decide!

Best Film:

Man of Steel









Best Actor:

Henry Cavill -Man of Steel







Best Actress:

Mireille Enos- World War Z








Best Actor in a supporting role:

Will Smith- After Earth








Best Actress in a supporting role:

Sophie Okonedo: After Earth















Best Director:

Zack Synder- Man of Steel