Sectumsempra!

This afternoon, we went to see “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” (IMAX 3-D) at the BFI IMAX Cinema in London, which is directed by David Yates and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Jim Broadbent, Alan Rickman, Tom Felton and Helena Bonham Carter.

It was a visually stunning, amazing film that I enjoyed! However, I just now think of the of the films as completely separate entity than the books and review these films as though they’re just film w/ nothing to do w/ the books, as there's no use comparing the fimls to the books…

Must see in IMAX 3-D! *** THREE 1/2 STARS ***

Dirty Harry Lives

Just watched “Gran Torino” that was directed by Clint Eastwood, and stars Clint Eastwood and Bee Vang. It was one of the great DVDs with a wonderful card that Sharon & John (my amazing friends from America) sent me for my birthday.

This film is really quite good, which I enjoyed a lot. Clint Eastwood is such a brilliant director and actor, and his facial expressions in this film were just wicked… Highly recommended, but not for the kids. *** FOUR STARS ***

Paprika

Yesterday, Sarah and I watched ‘Paprika’ directed by Satoshi Kon and starring Megumi Hayashibara and Akio Ohtsuka, which is a Japanese animated science-fiction film based on a book of the same name.

It’s basically a film about a psychologist dealing with dreams and how to treat people’s illnesses through their dreams using a device that goes over the head by interpretation of the dream that the person is having. Sorry, that’s not a very good description of the film, but it’s a difficult film to describe. That being said, I quite enjoyed the film and though the animation was really interesting, it is definitely one animated film for adults over 16. Recommended must see. *** THREE 1/2 STARS ***

I’m Gonna Let It Shine…

Recently, Sarah and me watched “Sunshine” directed by Danny Boyle, which stars Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Cliff Curtis, Chris Evans, Troy Garity, Hiroyuki, Benedict Wong, and Michelle Yeoh.

I really enjoyed this film, and what a killer ending! *** FOUR STARS ***

Back to Narnia

For Saturday Family Night, on Saturday night Sarah bought the new Chronicles of Narnia film; The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is directed by Andrew Adamson, and stars Ben Barnes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, Sergio Castellitto, Eddie Izzard (voice), Peter Dinklage, and Liam Neeson (voice). We’ve wanted to see this film for ages, and it was so definitely worth the wait…

This film was very entertaining, and as 23 year old I kept bursting out in laughter b/c it just has lots of fantastically humourous bits throughout the film. The lead characters had much more depth and were quite improved in their performance since the last Narnia film. Also, it had really good special effects, great locations, and wonderful plot that flowed excellently… Though, I think my favourite character in film is Eddie Izzard’s character, where he plays the voice of a sword-fighting mouse that is quite funny and feisty. Overall, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian was a brilliant film that I enjoyed a great deal, and is definitely a must see for all, especially w/ the whole family! ***FOUR STARS***

Can’t wait for next Saturday for Family Night…

Irish Blood, English Heart

Buggers! I just remembered that I forgot to tell you something. Late on Thursday night, on telly I watch ‘The Wind That Shakes the Barley’ directed by Ken Loach, which starred Cillian Murphy, Padraic Delaney, Orla Fitzgerald, and Liam Cunningham. I have been waning to see this film for ages, and finally was able to on Thursday night.

It’s basically about the British occupation in Ireland, and is set in during the Irish War of Independence (1919–1921) and the Irish Civil War (1922–1923). Resulting in the development of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and consequent fight for independence from Great Britain. Now I know how the IRA started and where the conflict in Northern Ireland began.

‘The Wind That Shakes the Barley’ is a brilliant film (though just a warning, it a bit gory) that I highly enjoyed… Raw, shocking, and emotional it is, but well worth watching! It shows what a bastard the British Empire was, and the horrors/youth of war. By the end of the fill, I was like ‘shite, oh no!’ That being said, everyone should watch this film b/c it has a solid plot, fantastic acting, and Cillian Murphy’s performance yet again has such great depth (Murphy is just a superb actor). Definitely, not surprising that is won the Palme d'Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. A must see… *** FOUR 1/2 STARS ***

Saturday Family Night

After a much a long break for unforeseen reasons, last night we rented ‘Iron Man’ directed by Jon Favreau (not Obama’s speechwriter or related to him in any way) and that stars Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, and Terrence Howard.

Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, it is very American, fast-paced, and action-packed film. It was quite enjoyable, though I found myself rolling my eyes a few times.

‘Iron Man’ was really funny w/ serious truths within it, but I’m glad it ended up heading in the more positive direction. I don’t know what else I can say, just that it’s brilliant and that you have to watch it for a high octane of a good 2 hours, 6 minutes, which is well entertaining! *** FOUR STARS ***

Also, Mum made marinated, grilled Mackerel, chips, Yorkshire Pudding, and apple strudel w/ custard for dessert. I cannot tell you enough how bloody good it was, and what a fab cook Mum is... It was so tasty!

I just hope we can startup Saturday Family Nights again, as last night was fantastic and I want to have at least one fun day a week w/ my family...

A Day with Spike

Last night, Mum, Sarah, and me watched Cowboy Bebop: The Movie that is directed by Shinichirō Watanabe. Sarah got a while ago, and it was about the third time I’ve seen it, but I just have haven’t had a chance to tell you about it.

It’s basically a Japanese Anime set on Mars in the year 2071 about Spike Spiegel (a really wicked Bounty Hunter) who’s trying to stop a deadly virus from releasing, and get the 300 million woolong reward the government has issued for the man behind it. I am not doing justice, you just much watch it, and it’s based on the Cowboy Bebop telly series (that I’m definitely going to check out soon). It is one of the best Anime films out there (apart from legendary Hayao Miyazaki films), which has much better characters, plot, and depth than other Anime films. Very highly recommend! *** FOUR 1/2 STARS ***

Bond Review

On Saturday we went to see the new James Bond film, and finally have chance to give you my review.

‘Quantum of Solace’ is directed by Marc Forster and stars Daniel Craig as James Bond; also starring Mathieu Amalric, Olga Kurylenko, Gemma Arterton, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright, and Giancarlo Giannini. All in all, I enjoyed the film:
- It was filled w/ action galore throughout
- Locations were cool
- Plot was very good and flowed quite well, much better than ‘Casino Royale’
- Bond Woman was the best one yet, not being a useless bimbo like the others who were all like, ‘Oh James! Take me…’ w/o any question. Though, the Bond Women in this film was brilliant: not only is she bloody hot, but also she kicks some major ARSE!
- And more…

However, there are several things that made ‘Quantum of Solace’ quite disappointing and are as follows:

- I hate Daniel Craig as James Bond: He is not suave the way Bond should be, and sucks all the charm and charisma out of everything. I loved the way Roger Moore portrayed James Bond (my favourite Bond yet), and I think since him the quality of portrayal of Bond has gone down the loo.
- No cool gadgets
- No Q for another Bond film, who I really miss
- Not really any wicked cars, other than for about ten minutes in the first scene
- And more…

Overall, I felt quite disappointed at end of the film, and I felt like I really wanted more depth from it. But, do check ‘Quantum of Solace’ out for yourselves; very much recommended for high action, quite the dog’s bollocks of a time! ***THREE STARS***

Bond is Back!

Yesterday, We went go see the new James Bond film, 'Quantum of Solace'. However, since I'm REALLY busy right now working on many projects, I'll let you know my review later.


Bye for now...

Be Kind and Rewind

As going to the Open Day at University for The Creative Arts, FARNHAM (UCA) didn't work out today, earlier we watched 'Be Kind Rewind' directed by Michel Gondry, and starring Jack Black, Mos Def, Melonie Diaz, Danny Glover, and Mia Farrow, which I rented from Blockbuster.

I really enjoyed this film, and it is quite funny; and a good family film. Michel Gondry films are always so inspiring, like this film, and make you really want to do something creative!

Highly recommended! ***FOUR STARS***