Oz The Great And Powerful: Teaser trailer

Rating: TBC  UK Release Date: March, 2013
Director: Sam Raimi
Producer: Joe Roth
Cast: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff

Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.

When small-time magician Oscar Diggs (James Franco) pulls one flimflam too many, he finds himself hurled into the fantastical Land of Oz where he must somehow transform himself into the great and powerful Wizard—and just maybe into a better man as well.

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Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

Sunday 1st July 2012 marks one of the best days of my life. As a trip out for my little sister’s birthday present, my family and I went to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Leavesden.

I wanted to share a few pictures I took and mention what I loved most about the tour. With the exception of the 13 images I’ve inserted into this post, I’ve tried my very best not to spoil the experience, instead tell you reasons why you should go!

As the Harry Potter tour was only a twenty-minute journey on a clear motorway, I hardly had time to feel excitement growing. But the moment I stepped out of the car and saw the Harry Potter building, I was suddenly overcome by a wave of emotion.

I was excited, giddy but most of all scared. I was terrified to be perfectly honest and trying to explain why I was scared to my parents was quite difficult. I was basically scared that it wouldn’t be what I expected. The Harry Potter books and films were my childhood. I was only three when the first book was released, but I read it before I saw the first film and it meant a lot seeing something you’d read put onto a big screen. Then, almost every year for eight years, a film came out. Childhood.

Stepping into the queue, my Dad looked at me and asked, ‘Are you excited?’ I just nodded because I was in complete awe of the building. Around the entrance hall are pictures of the cast as themselves and in character, from the very first film to the last. The car is seen hovering in the sky, while Harry and Ron’s Hogwarts trolley is on another shelf. The magic begins as soon as you walk into the building.

After queuing for about 10 minutes, we walked into the room (past the cupboard under the stairs!) and entered a dark room with a few screens. After a very kind welcome from a tour guide, a video is shown involving David Heyman and the producers of the films, talking about how the Harry Potter films came to be and why they are just so special. After this, you’re taken to a cinema screen to watch a quick film before your tour.

The best thing about the tour is how well organised it is. At no time did I feel rushed to keep on moving or in a position where I couldn’t see anything or get to any place easily. Signs were everywhere to help navigate, as well as signs to the different artifacts and displays.

There is no time limit on this tour. You book a slot, but can then take as long as you would like to look around. There is a one way system between each of the different rooms though, so make sure you see everything or as much as you want in one room before moving to the next one. But other than this, you’re in control of your own Harry Potter experience!

Every now and then something fun pops up. Whether it’s Butterbeer (lush) or a TV screen where someone from the film gives a little bit more info on a few of the props or costumes, it’s something to interact with and take a little longer to look at. Oh and there may or may not be a few wands which you can use to clean pans or iron one of the Weasley’s jumper’s with.

Seeing the real costumes worn by the cast and the real props that were used in the film is can be quite overwhelming. The amount of detail that the crew members went into for the film is incredible. There wasn’t just a piece of paper with a squiggle on as Harry’s Hogwarts letter, no-no, the set prop department made sure the letter was written to the point it would be if it was real. And there were THOUSANDS of them, of course, for the letter scene. Even small props which were in the background of shots were created to the highest quality and detail. I read a letter from Lily Potter to Sirius Black that wasn’t looked at much in the film, but I felt tears rise to my eyes as I read it because of the insane amount of realism it holds.

Another highlight is the big surprise at the end…but I can’t go into that too much without giving it away!
I could easily go on about how incredibly amazing the Harry Potter Tour is, but the only way for people to understand what I mean is to go on the tour.

Below are a few pictures (25 out of the 360 I took!) of some of the moments from my tour. There is so much more to see than just this post and a few pictures.

This is a must see for every Harry Potter fan. Make a day of it and the best part is you can spend as much time in the tour as you want. You can book tickets here

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May and June viewings

I was contemplating whether or not to keep with posting my monthly viewings as I forgot to post my May ones with the move to a new site, but a few people find it interesting and let’s be honest, I have nothing better to do!

Here are my May and June viewings and remember, these are just films I have seen for the first time. It was quite a good month looking at ratings, or maybe I just watched the good stuff.
 

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Total Recall (1991) 4/5
Garden State (2004) 4/5
To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) 5/5
50/50 (2011) 4/5
The Illusionist (2006) 3/5
Overboard (1987) 3/5
The Incredible Hulk (2008) 3.5/5
Empire Of The Sun (1987) 4/5
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) 5/5
Bonnie and Clyde (1967) 3.5/5
How To Steal A Million (1966) 3/5
The Unforgiven (1960) 3/5
Alien (1979) 4/5
Rushmore (1997) 4/5
Prometheus  (2012) 4/5
Chaplin (1994) 4/5
Natural Born Killers (1994) 4/5
Midnight In Paris (2011) 4/5
Shame (2011) 4/5
The Five-Year Engagement (2012) 3.5/5
The Great Gatsby (1974) 4/5
Lars and the Real Girl (2007) 4/5
Away We Go (2009) 4.5/5
Gregory’s Girl (1981) 4/5

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The Five-Year Engagement (2012)

Running Time: 124 mins
Directed By: Nicholas Stoller
Starring: Emily Blunt, Jason Segel, Chris Pratt, Alison Brie, Mindy Kaling, Rhys Ifans
Screenplay: Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller
UK Release Date: 22nd June 2012 UK

Quick Plot: Tom proposes to girlfriend Violet one year after meeting, but they gather many obstacles such as grandparent deaths, sister’s becoming pregnant and new jobs before they can eventually tie the knot.

Review: Funny man Jason Segel’s latest screenplay was supposedly written with only one female lead in mind and that is British sweetheart Emily Blunt, who’s grace, beauty and charm continues to glide through Hollywood despite the fact she has, arguably, not had her ‘breakout’ film to date. The Five-Year Engagement could be one of her best, cookie monster impression included.

Favourably keeping her sweet British accent, Emily Blunt is like a breath of fresh air for the film, making this Apatow production a little different from the normal nudity crude fest. The Five-Year Engagement’s central source of enjoyment could solely be based on her charming presence, although Blunt is somehow more alluring opposite her co-star. Here, Segel keeps to the adorable, child-like character he’s known for, even with the bare bum shots, but he has been better.

Another wickedly proficient performance from Rhys Ifan’s means he is, once again, a little bit of a baddie which would have been delightful to have seen further explored. Alison Brie’s accent is justifiably excellent and her main moments on-screen are delightful.

This is in no way a stereotypical Rom-Com, with much more comedy than cliché terminal chase scenes or grand gestures of love from the top of a tower. Two major scenes strike out as the funniest involving a chase between Segel and Ifans plus Sesame Street impressions from Blunt and Brie. There are comical moments which might not be as funny on a second viewing, but enough for it to be seen more times and still enjoyed.

The main downfall for the film was the presence of scenes feeling as though they should be in the ‘deleted scenes’ extra on the DVD. With a 20 minute shorter runtime, The Five-Year Engagement could have been the perfect Com-Rom (more comedy and then romance) the trailers proclaimed it to be, making the ending feel a little less prolonged. A few cuts might have meant a few irritating and unnecessary characters could have been dropped to give more room for the leads. Even though they are fully developed, Blunt and Segel are the key attraction to the film’s likability so more time on them and less on supporting characters, such as the infuriating sandwich co-worker, could have upheld the film

Another success for Segel and co. that is sure to remain on top for the Rom-Com’s of the year. Blunt is superb and Segel lives on to reign as one of the funniest at the moment.

3.5/5

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Monsters University: Teaser trailer‏

This is my second Disney post in less than a week, but there’s good reason for it. Today I got sent the very first teaser for Pixar’s Monsters University and I couldn’t wait to post it!

Along with it, Disney have released a little more concerning the plot:

Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn’t stand each other. “Monsters University” unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.

The first teaser is simply marvellous and nothing less than we’d expect from Pixar. If this is the quality that only a minute of a teaser holds, then there is no doubt the film will be another success for the team.

Can you believe it’s been 11 years since the first film was released?! Make sure you watch the trailer in HD as the colours are bold, vibrant and gorgeous.

 

Monsters University is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”) and produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”). The film is due Summer 2013 for UK cinemas.

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Super 8 review

Written and directed by JJ. Abrams, 2011’s Super 8 was expected to be another sci-fi blockbuster however, with a cast of charming child actors and a clarity of homage to the film’s producer Steven Spielberg, Super 8 is more than just explosions, hair raising tension and extra terrestrial meetings.

The film takes place in the summer of 1979 where a group of pre-teen pals are making their own zombie film. Joe Lamb (newcomer Joel Courtney) the protagonist, who apart from being the make-up artist of the film within a film, is spending his first summer without his late Mother. In some very emotional and heated confrontations, it is apparent that Joe’s relationship with his father, the town’s deputy (Kyle Chandler), is strained. Meanwhile Joe’s only sense of belonging and happiness is making train models and helping to make the film.

Joe is the sweeter character out of his simply written, but fitting, group of friends made up of Charles the director, Cary the firework enthusiast, Martin the worry wart and Preston the goody. One night, the group of boys meet with their helpful school acquaintance, Alice Dainard their reluctant female actor, to shoot a scene at the local, abandoned, train station. Everything goes according to plan until a passing train, that appears to be production value for Charles, collides with a car and causes a horrific train wreck which the kids go on to find out wasn’t an accident.

Like The Goonies, Stand by Me and other adolescent group films, the star of Super 8 is the collective of talented and energetic young actors who complete the film’s allure with their warming, eccentric and humble characteristics. Throughout the film they share many pre teen jokes about people being fat or too small as well as sharing their first run in with the military. In interviews, the boys revealed Abrams allowed them to create their own improvisation, or rather banter, in scenes which bring an inviting atmosphere for viewers.Unlike ET and the Goonies, there is a touch of romance in Super 8 between Courtney and Elle
Fanning who is absolutely delightful as Alice. Fanning aids Courtney with her previous experience in incredible roles to bring a very touching add on to the plot in a subtle love story.

Super 8 is surrounded by nostalgia feeling twenty or even thirty years past it’s time. But with the masses of SFX, Super 8 provides some stunning visuals teamed with extravagant surround sounds that cinema could have only dreamt of in the 80s. In quite possibly the most unimaginable but vastly epic and roaring loud train crash a film has ever seen, Abrams has left a mark on cinema in special effects.

Even though the exhilarating train crash stands out, it’s after the incident where the film begins to pick up pace and resemble that of a Spielberg 80s adventure. With mysteries and loops in the plot, the kids grow curious upon the recent intrusion from the military, finding it hard to believe they have arrived after the train crash out of coincidence. After dogs begin to run away, engines are stolen and people go missing, Joe is determined to save his town whether his father listens to him or not.

Swimming in a pool of charm, the children are responsible for half of Super 8’s enjoyment whilst the rest is down to the tribute it plays to ET, the Goonies and so on. Towards the end, family feuds and other events are glossed over very quickly and the ‘creature’ feels disappointing, but the film ends how it progresses- charming and sweet. Super 8 isn’t the monster movie everyone expected, instead it’s a simple story of friendship, family and growing older over a backdrop of disaster, train crashes and many Abrams’ lens flares.

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