Thor (2011)

Running Time: 114 mins
Directed By: Kenneth Branagh

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba, Kat Dennings,

Screenplay: Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Don Payne

UK Release Date: Official release date is 29th April 2011

Quick Plot: Belligerent and powerful Thor and soon to be King of Asgard is banished to Earth by his Father for his selfish ways. With help of humans, Thor must be true to himself to get back to Asgard and fight his forever envying brother Loki.

Review: Wow. Wow, wow, wow. I thought Summer Blockbusters started for me once I saw Source Code, but now I must say it is official. Even though I rated Source Code 5 stars and Thor only 4, it still lives up to the Summer Blockbuster expectation and I think Thor is one of the best films I've seen this year regardless.
So to start on my non-spoiler review, I won't go into too much detail and ruin it but if you see Thor and you are a Marvel fan, be on the look out like you probably always are. And I will say this now in case I forget but please, oh please stay until the very end of the film for the credits. Last year when I saw Iron Man 2, my cousin and I were foolish and left once the credits started to roll only to come home to find a sensible person online telling everyone to wait until the very end. Luckily I watched the end credits Iron Man 2 (which I will post below) on youtube last week to make up for it (in bad quality but that's my fault).
Anyway, I first had my doubts of Thor if I'm honest. I LOVE Marvel films and am always excited for their next release but I haven't read enough Marvel comics to be an Avenger/Marvel wikipedia on them so the story of Thor wasn't something I knew a great deal about. Captain America, Iron Man, etc.. however I knew much more about but then after the first trailer of Thor my mind changed because Thor is a God. The God of Thunder to be precise. And Gods, myths and legends are something I always admire and love watching at the cinema. Thor however is in connection to modern day earth, looking after us from afar and the distinction between Earth and Asgard worked perfectly well. For those who are lucky and are not nerdy like me and didn't take part in unnecessary research into the production of Thor, Kenneth Branagh is new to directing this genre of film and I've got to hand it to him that Thor is fantastic and probably one of the best films I have seen this year!

I don't have to say anything about Natalie Portman to prove that because even if she was replaced with a terrible actress, Thor would have pulled it off because every aspect of the film is a grand achievement. I've just got to mention that Natalie was great as always just for me admiration but let's push her aside for a moment to talk about Chris Hemsworth as Thor. This has probably been one of the best film castings for Marvel in a long time because Hemsworth nailed everything about him. He's buff, solid, angry, powerful and this has started him off on something new. Kat Dennings too brings the humour to the film which I've got to mention because I'm a Dennings fan..go on hate me. I don't want to go on about it too much because my reviews are always bad because of this, but all the acting is great blah blah. Tom Hiddleston was also exceptional and I hope this brings him lots of other blockbuster and big budget films. The 'friends' or whatever they were of Thor's are all as great and have a good part throughout the film.
The sound effects were marvelous but I found the visuals extremely stunning. Thor is released as a 3D and 2D film. I watched it today in 2D because I think 3D is a waste of my money and 9/10 times 3D just makes trees, leafs and stars look brighter. With this I couldn't see any specific scenes that would have made any difference in 3D because I was hoping for a scene where Thor would maybe throw the hammer towards the screen but not a thing like this happened to my dissapointment. But regardless the special effects, especially when at Asgard were beautiful. The colours on both Earth and Asgard were vibrant and showed the newly reformed Marvel.
The film starts off with a pre credit scene of when three scientists in New Mexico are chasing a storm but instead find Thor. Then there is the long introductory to Thor, about his father and brother, the kingdom of which he lives with lots of action, battles and brilliant effects. Maybe there are much more greater scenes throughout, especially more epic battles and fights but I think the first few scenes is definitely what Marvel has been missing for the past few years with their films. Iron Man 2 wasn't a bad film but it got into the story too quick and lets us not begin with Wolverine..
I have yet to read this comic of Thor but I already think the plot is fantastic. Though I'm probably going to be the only one to admit it, Thor is very much similar to a feel good film. He's selfish and immature at first, no way fit to be a King but he learns how to respect people and when he finally has the strength to hold the iconic Hammer, you feel over the moon for him even though he is only a handsome fictional character. Thor too has funny lines, I laughed a great deal in this, maybe more than I did with Your Highness, the screenplay is quirky and the characters are funny.
A definite for Cineworld but most probably all cinema showings across the UK, you will be shown the X-Men: First Class and Captain America: First Avenger trailer which are both awesome in many ways and if you're anything like me, will get you right hyped up for Thor. Make sure you stay for the end credits and remember, keep an eye out for everything. But don't spend all your time looking I don't want anyone not paying attention to Thor too.
I have to recommend this film to everyone. Not everyone will enjoy it though. If you dislike superheros, action, myths and legends you won't like Thor but I'm not going to tell you to turn it away because I adored it and have fallen more in love with Marvel.

Thor was utterly perfect and so much more than I expect. I hope Captain America and X-Men possibly Green Lantern are just as exceptional and then I can assure you this will be a very good Summer indeed. I hope to see this film countless of times as it could possible be one of my favourite Marvel films..let us see how this year pans out.
Easily the film I recommend. Hopefully I will be seeing this film sometime soon again...

Thor Official trailer

Ending credits of Iron Man 2 that is used in Thor. 

Tweet Pin It Now!

Your Highness (2011)

Running Time: 102 mins
Directed By: David Gordon Green

Starring: James Franco, Natalie Portman, Danny McBride, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Theroux

Screenplay: Danny McBride, Ben Best

UK Release Date: 8th April 2011

Quick Plot: Unlike his brother Prince Fabious, Thadeous is not a hero and plays his Prince role for his benefit. But after Fabious's bride to be gets taken away by evil wizard Leezar, Thadeous joins his brother on a magical and epic quest to save her, meeting warrior princess Isabel along the way who helps the brothers.

Review: James icandoprettymucheverything Franco and Natalie Portman have had a pretty good past few years I'd say. Both nominated for Best Actor and Actress at this years Oscars for their lead roles in 127 Hours and Black Swan, Natalie falling in love and becoming pregnant with her first child and James probably discovering the cure for the common cold. I joke on the last bit, but he has done some pretty impressive stuff that will take too long to type it all out. I've taken a shine to James Franco and from my previous reviews of Black Swan and No Strings Attached I have made clear my admiration of Natalie Portman, so it was obvious I needed to see Your Highness.
'From the director of Pineapple Express' additionally got me engrossed because I thought a lot of nice things about Pineapple Express, which starred both Franco and McBride. Since I was a young I enjoyed the odd mediveal and mythical film and Your Highness fits with that genre in the long run, so I enjoyed that factor very much throughout the film. The comedy side is exactly like Pineapple Express's humour, vile sex jokes, sexism against women and weed but still very funny. Personally though, I would say this film isn't for a 'lady' because I wouldn't be surprised at all if some women take offense to some of the jokes. Agreeing with Empire's review: 'only for people who enjoy this type of comedy'. If you have no idea what kind of comedy this is, please proceed to the bottom to watch the trialer, you will understand. For example, the evil wizard is planning on taking the bride's virginity so he plans it with his mother's which is creepy on many levels but I found it laughable but I'm unsure if everyone would agree.
However, Your Highness isn't a brilliant or amazing film, I'd say it's watchable but not an iconic comedy film. The cast play their roles greatly and the screenplay is hilarious, probably because Danny McBride created some of it with one of his best pals Ben Best. Natalie Portman was honourable, James Franco commendable but Danny McBride would have to have been my favourite throughout the film and with the humour they complimented each other greatly.
Because of my admiration of Natalie Portman and fondess of James Franco, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't watch this again but it certainly isn't a priority. Equally as you can see I've rated this film 3/5 stars, so it isn't a terrible or let down of a film. The comedy/fantasty works very well and if you are a fan of Pineapple Express, Superbad, Knocked Up and other Judd Apatow films, I think you'd find this film very impressive indeed.


Your Highness official trailer

Tweet Pin It Now!

No Strings Attached (2011)

Running Time: 108 Minutes
Directed By: Ivan Reitman

Starring: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher

Screenplay: Elizabeth Meriwether

UK Release Date: 25th February 2011

Quick Plot: Emma and Adam decide on becoming friends with benefits, under a few conditions; no snuggling after sex, no getting jealous and absolutely, no falling in love with one another.

Review: Woah woah woah woah hold up, I've rated a film 3 stars? Not 4 or 5! Ok, that's not a big deal, I'm actually more surprised I didn't give this film 2 stars. But, to be very honest, the cliche storyline and lovey dovey cuteness of it made me like it a little bit.
I want to compare my viewing of this film like Valentine's Day. I didn't think Valentine's Day was a great film but the cuteness of it was the best factor. I guess I'm just a sucker for everything cute, romantic and predictable like this but I think the storyline was incredibly poor and some of the characters were hard to believe. Even though there was only one real storyline between Emma and Adam, there were lots of little ones then never really got complete I guess? (Excluding the little end title bit that was not good either) there was for instance, Adam's friend and Emma's friend, were they together or not? Adam's Dad, was he ok or what? How did Adam's show carry on and how did he get on as a screenwriter? You know, just little things I really think shouldn't have been there or should have at least been completed. (sorry if I've spoilt it for anyone lol)
I don't like putting films down, because  a film is a film. Take it for what it is. So I'll tell you the good things about this film.

Natalie Portman. I'm biased, she's probably my top favourite actress I've decided. Admired her since I was 5 and I don't think that is ever going to change. She was good, not Black Swan or V For Vendetta good, but average good. When she cried, I wanted to cry with her and when she laughed I laughed with her too. So that's a good start. Aston Kutcher was..Aston Kutcher I guess. I was talking to my friend the other day about him actually and how he isn't that much of a great actor but he isn't too bad to look at so that was a bonus. I guess him and Natalie had chemistry and there were a few, real, funny scenes and lines.
I'm not going to recommend this to everyone because it's not for everyone. If you're a girl, you will probably enjoy it by a fraction, if not a lot (like one of the women in the screen, she could not stop laughing) but if you are a boy you won't like it unless you just want to oggle your eyes at Natalie Portman.
There are other good films out at the moment but I wouldn't turn this away. Like I said 3 stars I think I'd give this and 3 stars isn't bad. It's a cute, predictable, funny film.

Tweet Pin It Now!

BAFTAs 2011

So it's here.
Each year I watch the BAFTAs but this year I think I'm the most excited. Ever since the age of about 7, my interest in films gets bigger and greater each year. This year, I've seen at least 75% of the nominees and that's quite a lot seeing as 50% of them were not released here until only a few months ago. For me it's an achievement, I feel like I have more of an opinion in the matter.

Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter

Right now it's 7:13pm and I've accidentally seen a winner.

I'm going to now, save this as a draft, write up my opinion on the winners and everything throughout the evening when I'm watching the show at 9pm on BBC1 and probably post it tomorrow.

It's now Monday.
First off I apologise to everyone who's friends with me on facebook for my obsessive status updates last night I was just overwhelmed.
Everything about the award season is so glamorous and is one of the best times of year for me.

Click here for the full set of winners

Right now everyone knows everything and who won and that let me give my opinion.

Well, The King's Speech was a bit greedy wasn't it?
Obviously I'm joking because they deserved everything because the film is incredible. But I do think 127 Hours deserved at least one award.

Jesse Eisenberg image from @empireonline

'King Colin' as he will forever be known as now, won Best Leading Actor and Helena Bonham Carter 'Queen Helena' won Best Supporting Actress but the one I was most happy about was Natalie Porman winning Best Leading Actress for Black Swan. Like I said in my Black Swan review, I adore Natalie Portman, she's one of my role models and has been for years and years and her performance as Nina Sayers will forever be one she will have to keep having to try and beat. I loved the speech Darren Aronofsky did on her behalf because of the line '..because she said I'm to blame for her not being here because I came the closest to knocking her up without actually knocking her up by introducing her to her fiance and she is very pregnant so she can't fly..'
The Social Network won 3 along with Inception which I'm happy for but the one thing I have to admit I'm upset about is the Orange Rising Star award :(

Gemma Arterton looking stunning

I will now reveal who I voted for (even though it was highly obvious) Andrew Garfield. I felt bad against Gemma Arterton like I betrayed her- though she will never know. I'm not going to say Tom Hardy didn't deserve the award because she obviously did, he's a great Actor, although he has been around for a long time already. I wanted Andrew to win it so much because he deserves it but also I would have seen him on the stage!
But then my luck improved as David Fincher won Best Director to which he sadly could not collect as he is busy filming The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo right now, so to my surprise Tilda Swinton asked if Andrew and Jesse Eisenberg would accept it for me. At that moment in time, to be completely truthful I died a little bit inside because when them two are together my heart melts. I will speak more about this moment further down.


Over the moon for Toy Story 3 winning Best Animation. Sad that Inception or 127 Hours did not win Best Original Music, but I will let this go because everything else was fair and deserved.

Jonathan Ross image from @empireonline

When Stephen Fry gave Harry Potter the contribution to cinema award and there was the lovely montage about everything Harry Potter. When Mr Fry was talking about the film and the camera cut to a picture of Emma Watson I was nearly in tears because it hit me that this year the series is over.
I loved loved loved loved Jonathan Ross hosting again! I've missed him all over BBC and his jokes were so funny. Especially at the start when he mentioned Sex and the City 2 and The Expendables and everyone in the audience laughed because you could see where his joke was going.
Another funny and embarrassing moment was when Rosamund Pike alongside Dominic Copper, nearly announced the winner of Best Screenplay without naming the nominations and letting the film play!




Instead of writing more and more boring points, here's my top 5 best things about the whole evening.

1. Andrew Garfield and Jesse Eisenberg accepting the Best Director award for David Fincher
2. On the red carpet Edith Bowman interviewing Emma Stone and asking what it has been like filming Spiderman for her and Andrew Garfield to both be up for Rising Star nominations and Emma replied: 'He's actually been trying to kill me on set. When I go in my trailer everything keeps falling on me'
3. Kieran Culkin sitting next to Emma Stone with Andrew, Shannon and Jesse. Now my hunch is bigger that Kieran and Emma are dating.
4. Harry Potter winning a contribution to cinema.
5. Helena Bonham Carters speech.

Videos
Andrew and Jesse on the stage. Just love them both.

Andrew: I'll go first

Jesse: Well I'll go second then

And Jesse is so nervous bless him he's shaking.

And when Andrew walks off and Jesse looks so lost and cute and just sdfjsdfjgjhsfjksdjs

 

Queen Helena's amazing speech! Such a funny, inspirational lady.

 

Darren Aronofsky accepting Natalie Portman's award.

 

I think I've gone on enough about the BAFTAs now and I need to get back to my Valentine's Day plans (LOL)

Oh yeah by the way..

 

 As he's one of my favourite people ever he deserved a picture.

Tweet Pin It Now!

Black Swan (2011)

Running Time: 108 Minutes
Directed By: Darren Aronofsky

Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder

Screenplay: Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John J. McLaughlin

UK Release Date: 21st January 2011

Quick Plot: Nina Sayers lives the perfect life for a ballerina, according to her over protective ex- ballerina Mother. Taking over Beth for the role of the Swan Queen, Nina has to show her director, Thomas, that she can dance the White Swan- innocent, fragile and everything she knows to be. But the title also requires to dance the Black Swan- dark, rebellious and sinister. When replacement member to the ballet company, Lily arrives, Nina's thirst for being the perfect Swan Queen starts to turn very psychological

Review: 

I'm still not fully sure what I think of the film. At the end of the film I turned to my cousin and said the words, 'What the f- just happened?' and not in the good way like I did with Inception.

Yet I didn't rate this film the 3 Stars I was going to instead raised it to 4 because it's beautiful, stunning and Natalie Portman has won me over in possibly one of her greatest roles I have ever seen her play. I've never seen a film like Black Swan, so I think it's left more of a mark on me than it will on most people because I'm not use to getting this mucked up and scarred. It's not getting the whole 5 out of 5 because I think the story messes up often and I don't mean it messes up the audience. I think there are some gaps that needed have been filled with something more and it's definitely without a doubt not for everyone.

Natalie Portman was fantastic nonetheless with no faults at all- but I am slightly biased as Miss Portman has been one of my role models since the minor age of 4 from when I watched Star Wars I: Phantom Menace at the cinema. Mila Kunis was marvelous and perfect and has a big future ahead of her now after this role

This is the first film I've seen from Darren Aronofsky and can see that he's a dedicated Director with beautiful ideas. Once he finished Film School, he knew he wanted to make two specific films: One about Wrestling (The Wrestler 2008) and Ballet. The ballet and choreographer in this film is beyond gorgeous and I think Natalie Portman did a great job with her ballet skills. Losing 20 pounds and training every day for more than 3 months, it's clear that the role meant a lot to Natalie. The story meant a lot too, after work on it for 10 years. After watching her acceptance speech more than about 4 times now, I must agree that Natalie's Golden Globe is thoroughly deserved. I have to agree with Claudia Winkleman on Film 2011 on Wednesday night when she said that the camera angles really get you 'behind Nina so that you feel uncomfortable and claustriphobic', because you really do see everything for Nina and you yourself start to loose your mind. I don't want to give anything away in this review because I hate spoilers so I'm not going to go into detail of the plot, but there are difference scenes with mirrors, trains and many other scenes which are perfect and so different to the normal side of films you often see. Ok I'm blabbering now and this review is hardly good because it's so hard to explain. I guess you have to see it to know what I mean..

All this has made me realise it's not a bad film per say. But I think I got far too much excited than I should have and then maybe I would have enjoyed it more.

I recommend Black Swan to anyone who likes Ballet- be aware Ballet is merely the little story that keeps the plot together. Anyone who likes to be left wondering what they've just seen and having their mind played with would enjoy this a lot. But it's probably not for the faint hearted and anyone who doesn't like awkward scenes when watching a film with family a friends (you know the scenes I mean)

Black Swan official trailer 1 HD

And in case anyone hasn't seen and would like to watch Natatlie Portman's acceptance speech for her Golden Globe last Sunday here it is:
Notice her kiss with boyfriend is the dancer for the Prince in the Black Swan. Notice her gorgeous dress and adorable baby bump. And notice her dorky laugh ♥

Tweet Pin It Now!