Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa

So I actually saw this a month or so ago, but it's out on DVD now so still relevant and would make the perfect xmas gift ;)


So Alan Partridge played by Steve Coogan is a bit of an old fashioned radio DJ whose show is considered boring by the new generation of listeners. When the station is taken over by a new media company, the bosses of the radio station are ordered to find new ways to reestablish the station and gain more listeners, (basically get rid of the old radio presenters).

Upon hearing that himself and other radio presenters are under threat of losing their jobs, Partridge makes the suggestion that they 'just sack Pat' (Colm Meaney), another presenter who considers Partridge his friend. Of course after being fired Pat becomes very depressed and goes insane taking over the station with a gun, holding hostages.

I won't say anymore about the plot, but this film is absolutely hilarious. Coogan and Meaney are so funny, you will literally be laughing throughout the entire film. The concept is so crazy it is brilliant and there are some fantastic one liners. The cast is amazing, also consisting of the brilliant Nigel Lindsay.

 I really recommend this film.  It was way better than I ever expected. Just make sure you don't watch with young ones, it's a 15!

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.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Ted

Not a film for kids...

The film 'Ted' starring, directed, produced and written by Seth McFarlane is a hilarious film about a talking teddy bear called Ted (McFarlane) and his best mate John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg). Now the reason I say this film is not for kids is of course due to the sexual, violent and drug/alcohol content of the film. With a 15 certificate, the film is definitely not a cute children's film about a teddy bear.

The adult humour however really does make this film. Some could call it controversial in some ways but I really found the film quite hilarious. There was a wittyness captured in the dialogue and filming of the film which has got to be admired. The comic genius of McFarlane makes the film very entertaining and he is supported by a great cast: Mark Walhberg, Mila Kunis, Joel McHale and Giovanni Ribisi.

The character 'Ted' really was made loveable and amusing and I also really liked the traditional love story plot line between John and Lori (Kunis).

If you are old enough to appreciate adult humour, I would recommend this film, I really enjoyed it and was surprised. Just be warned it is not what you would expect from the film cover or posters!

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Easy A

So hilarious!

I honestly loved this film it was absolutely brilliant!

'Easy A' for many would be considered as a typical teen drama, chick flick etc. And to be honest it probably is, however having seen a huge range of teen rom-coms, this has to be one of the best. The film really is sheer genius and gives those girls who do feel 'invisible' at high school a really kick at watching Olive mess around with the typical high school system.

Emma Stone is brilliant, of course, I haven't seen her in many things and I think that she was so funny in this. Her use of sarcasm and irony in this is sheer genius.

You also have to admire the performances of Stanley Tucci playing Olive's wacky/fun father and also Lisa Kudrow as the school councillor. I also really liked Amanda Bynes performance as the religious/ innocent Marianne and also Aly Michalka as the obsessive, loud best friend.

This film could be linked in a way to 'Mean Girls' sharing a stroke of genius and heaps of humour. I really would recommend watching this if you have the chance, it's a great laugh.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

The five year engagement

Last night's film was 'The five year engagement'.

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this rom-com and seeing a reference to 'Bridesmaids' on the back made me a bit skeptical to be honest. However I did find myself laughing at various points within the film and felt on the whole that it was well done.

Emily Blunt was very good, I'm a fan of hers and therefore did enjoy the film. Also I really liked Jason Segal who I haven't seen in a film before so that was a nice find.

Apart from the over the top and personally I think unnecessary racy scenes, the film is really quite funny and entertaining. I think a part of that was also due to the characters Alex (Chris Pratt) and Suzie (Alison Brie).

 For those who liked 'bridesmaids' I have no doubt that you will also like this film. I do admit I really enjoyed it.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Junior

Arnold Schwarzenegger pregnant!

Honestly this is probably one of the most bizarre films I have ever seen. I was skimming through the movies on the TV and came across this one. I have to admit I was just a little more than intrguied when I heard that the film was about a man carrying a baby. And I was even more surprised when I heard that it was Arnold Schwarzenegger who would be pregnant.

So Arnold is often known for doing one action/thriller film and then a softer film which shows he can be diverse. But this is really not the sort of film I would ever have pictured him doing.

Having said that, after watching it I did find it rather entertaining and oddly funny to watch. Starring Shwarzenegger, Danny Divito and Emma Thompson the film really had me in stiches throughout. Thompson was brillinat as the clumbsy female lead and Divto was his usual comical self.

It was very odd watching Schwarzenegger's character Alex go through with a pregnacy from start to finish and eventual having the caesarian at the end to give birth. The film is very odd, yet the cast manage to make it very amusing. So if your bored and want to have a laugh, do watch this!

(Yes that is Arnold Schwarzenegger dressed as a woman on the right)





☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆