Help! I Need Somebody!

Hey Guys (I know you are reading),

I really could do with some input from your lovely selves because I have hit a slump in a particular film genre so I am asking for you to tell me your favourites..

Comedy.

I have loads of posts on the way including cinema reviews, some more three of a kinds and my latest installment of the 30 day challenge but I want more comedy (I will take rom coms to) up here.

So....

Please let me know if you have a fave film I simply must see or if there's a film out there that you thought was rubbish and you'd like another opinion on?! I'd love to get interactive and review some stuff you guys have thrown at me!

Comment below or find me on FACEBOOK. Ohhhhh, you can tweet me too@thisgirlonfilm.

I can't wait to hear from you.

L x

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DVD Review - Holes (2003)

The last time I took on a Disney live action film here it was all a bit meh but this week during family movie night saw Holes being pulled out of the DVD rack. I sat back with the kiddies and a whole load of calorific chocolate and gave it a bash.

Released in conjunction with Walden Media, who incidentally are bringing us Everest in September, Holes is the story of a wrongly convicted young boy who is sent to a detention camp. Whilst there, he is put to work digging holes for some mysterious reason under the watch of Mr Sir, Jon Voight (The Manchurian Candidate) and The Warden, Sigourney Weaver (Alien).

Shia LaBeouf (Transformers) plays Stanley Yelnats, the young boy in question, and overall is a likable character. LaBeouf makes Stanley come across as a misunderstood, generally nice guy who got a lot of sympathy from me. His acting was good enough for me to believe the characterisation and I cared about Stanley, more or less, from the beginning.

With elements of western, drama and adventure Holes uses flashbacks to fill in back story. At the very start of the movie this feels a little choppy and hard to understand but as time goes on it gets better. Halfway through, the main storyline plays alongside two different character stories and I liked this a lot. The themes within were historical and were as dramatic as Disney can be. In fact, once Stanley is at camp the mystery of the holes becomes the stories biggest pull and made the movie more than watchable.

Voight's character is obviously meant to be the comedic break in what is essentially and adventure movie and it worked to an extent. Mr Sir with his funny way of walking and his funny way of talking made him almost cartoon like. He didn't get many laughs from me however but the kids found him hilarious. Weaver, although the film's main villain, is surprisingly likable. This role doesn't demand the drama of the famous Alien franchise but her part is played well without being either over bearing or lost.

Stanley meets other young criminals whilst captured but none are really stand out. That is except Khleo Thomas (Walking Tall) as Zero. Simply speaking, Zero is adorable and the bond shown between him and Stanley is not only believable but totally on point. Thomas plays him as a sweet kid who is a little lost in the world but he is also tough as old boots.

Overall then I enjoyed Holes. It certainly wasn't the best film I have ever seen but it was fun and enjoyable all the same. I will say that I was surprised to realise it was only 117 minutes because it did feel a little long at times. I also think I spotted a mini plot hole towards the end but I reasoned with myself that I look for these and it didn't spoil anything really.

Sure it's all extremely Disney and the ending ties it all up in a neat little 'everything works out in the end' bow but I expected that. Holes is a simple family movie that delivers enough to keep you entertained. I actually liked it!

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Wednesday Wonders - #1 The Comic Book Edition

Today I am going to start a weekly feature so I can band together some of the interesting bits and bobs I have been finding all week. My laptop is FULL of bookmarks so I wanted the chance to share with you all things I have been digging. As today is Wednesday, we shall call it Wednesday Wonders.. good huh?!

First up is this great read over at WOW247 which discusses 6 movies that were about to be made but were not. I love looking back in awe at cinematic 'could of beens' and often wish that certain movies had been shot myself. X-Men origins: Magneto makes the list here and personally that's one film I would love to see, there again I would love stand alone movies for all the X-Men. I'm just greedy.

Over the last few days new stills for Marvel's new Ant-Man movie have been popping up. They've been banded all over the net but I found them over at the wrap. The stills bring with them exciting glimpses ahead of the July 17th release including our first look at David Dastmalchian  as Kurt.

More photographs here but these are alleged leaked ones of some more  the Suicide Squad set. Although I haven't got the foggiest idea of what may actually be happening in them they still show Harley (Margot Robbie) and Katana (Karen Fukuhara) on some mean streets brandishing weapons and showing determination. I for one, am loving my almost weekly sneak peaks at what is bound to be a big smash in 2016.

If you haven't seen Avengers:Age of Ultron yet then stop reading and go see it, also, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? Anyway, on that note I love to read other peoples reviews to get a taste for how they viewed a movie and I never get tired of this. Charlie over at Gollancz.co.uk has written this pretty nifty one about Tony Stark and his band of not so merry men (and women). Tres good!!

Although not strictly movie related I was fascinated by this Guardian article about there being a place for feminism in a traditionally male dominated art from. I hung on every word of it and can't wait to see more female writers, directors and producers taking on comic books and their adaptations.. oh and more female superheroes too. The article does mention Ms Marvel which brings me nicely onto that Angelinia Jolie and Charliza Theron might be teaming up to bring Captain Marvel to the big screen. (That will be a female director and lead female superhero ticked off in my book).

And finally Stan Lee has filmed his Civil War cameo... Hooray!


So, it's over to you now.
Have you seen any snippets on the web about comic book adaptations that have made you squeal (or roll your eyes)? Let me know below.

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News From The Web - Still Seeking Spidey!

picture credit: jprart

Ever since the news broke that Spider Man was returning to Marvel for a reboot in association with Sony Pictures various tit bits of information have been banded across the web (ha ha... web). I for one have been reading quite closely and live in hope that this means Spidey will somehow be joining the Avengers after his stand alone film currently scheduled for 2017.

Anyhoo..

Yesterday it emerged that Marvel could be making a decision on who will be our new Peter Parker as early as next week so I thought I would have a looksie at the rumoured hopefuls (in a blog post that I'm sure will be one of many on the lead up to the release).

Top favourite still seems to be Asa Butterfield who is probably most well known for his roles as Ender Wiggin in Enders Game and Hugo Cabret in Hugo. Pretty strong in two main roles (a third being as Bruno in The Boy with the Striped Pyjamas) I think he has just what it takes to step into Andrew Garfield's booties as from what I have seen and read he is up for the challenge and able to step into any role. Spider man/Peter Parker is a MASSIVE part to play and personally I don't think it has been done so well so far. However I had all this with the Hulk and Ruffalo blew me out the water so I live in hopes and my hopes rest with Butterfield.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Another Brit hopeful reported to be sent for screen tests is the lovely Tom Holland. Holland is probably best known for his role alongside Naomi Watts in The Impossible. During his time on that film he certainly showed that he could jump into a role that demands both action and emotion and from what I can tell people on social media are backing him with gusto.

The third and final young Brit in the running is a bit of a dark horse. Charlie Rowe is being penned as a relative unknown but he has in fact played support in big films such as Never Let Me Go and The Boat That Rocked. That said these roles were pretty minor but maybe Rowe is fresh enough to follow the footsteps of the other fledgling actors who have played spidey before.

I will be waiting with bated breathe and posting more news (and my opinions on it) of the new film as and when I hear them!!



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3 Of A Kind? - Who Let The Dogs Out?!

I recently bought a dog so I've been watching doggie films. Simple really...

Pudsey:The Movie (2014)

written by Paul Rose. directed by Nick Moore

Who Is The Dog?: Pudsey is a cross breed dog with a little bit of Border Collie, Bichon Frise and Chinese Crested Powderpuff in him (wow!). He shot to fame in 2012 when he and his owner Ashleigh won the 6th series of Britain's Got Talent with a dance act.

Who Does It Star?: David Walliams (Little Britain) voices the dog. The film also has Jessica Hynes (Spaced) and John Sessions (The Iron Lady).

Plot Outline: Pudsey plays a stray dog who is happy being a loner but goes on an adventure when he meets a set of siblings who are moving due to a death in the family. Pudsey then goes up against the village villain to save the day.

Best Bits?: Pudsey is one very talented dog and when you realise that he is doing all the actions by himself it really is impressive. Also David Walliam's voice really suits the cutey canine.

Bad Bits?: Let's be honest here, this film was made off the back of a TV talent show and is aimed solely at the children who sat open mouthed the first time they saw Ashleigh and Pudsey perform. It lacks in almost everything of any substance therefore but does withhold a little charm.

Woofing Brilliant or Barking Up The Wrong Tree?: Kids will probably love it, I found it watchable on a Sunday afternoon with nothing much else to do.

Lady And The Tramp (1955)

written and directed by Walt Disney Ltd

Who Is The Dog?: Although not live action dogs I had to include Disney's Lady and The Tramp in this 3 of  a kind. These doggies are animated beauties but you do get two for the price of one; a cocker spaniel called Lady and a mongrel street dog called Tramp.

Who Does It Star?: Voice work comes from Barbara Luddy (Sleeping Beauty), Verna Felton (Alice In Wonderland) and Peggy Lee (The Jazz Singer).

Plot Outline: Lady and the Tramp is a romantic adventure tale about the two dogs who come from different classes and different backgrounds.

Best Bits?: This film has, in my opinion, one of the best on screen kisses ever! Also look out for the Siamese kitties who are simply wicked.

Worst Bits?: None as such as Lady and the Tramp really is a joy to watch but there are some moments of sadness to overcome along the way.

Woofing Brilliant Or Barking Up The Wrong Tree?: I remember watching Lady and the Tramp when I was a young girl and now 30 odd years later my nieces and nephews love it too. It's timeless, seriously.



A Boy And His Dog (1975)

written and directed by L.Q Jones

Who Is The Dog?: Blood is a post apocalyptic dog who doesn't really like humans and is telepathic. Strange huh?

Who Does It Star?: Tim McIntire (Sacred Ground) voices Blood. Other stars include Don Johnson (Born Yesterday), Jason Robards (Philadelphia) and Charles McGraw (The Birds).

Plot Outline: A Boy and his Dog is ultimately a post apocalyptic survival story about Vic (Johnson) and Blood. The story follows their need for each other as they both fight and band together to make it through a scary (and sometimes very, very strange) time.

Best Bits?: Gosh this film is strange but if you don't take it too seriously you will find a glorious piece of satirical 70'S cinema. Look out for hilarious conversations said with entirely straight faces.

Worst Bits?: A Boy and his Dog has some grimy scenes that put out of context may appear distasteful to some and I ended the film wanting more back story on the dog himself.

Woofing Brilliant Or Barking Up The Wrong Tree?: Bonkers, totally outrageously so but cleverer than the B Movie it often masquerades as.

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DVD Review - See No Evil (2006)

Let me start this review by saying that I am a recent convert to the world of WWE and as a result have been actively seeking out films produced by WWE studios so I can see some of my favourite wrestlers in their acting roles. See No Evil stars authority bad guy Kane as psychopath Jason Goodnight but more about that later.

See No Evil is essentially a teen slasher film and was the first major release by the WWE, it was released by Lions Gate Entertainment in 2006 and had horrific reviews. I was expecting very little from it in all honesty and now I have seen it I think I was overtly generous in my initial thought. I will explain...

The overall premise smacks of cliche from the offset. A bunch of teenage delinquents are sent to do community service at a run down hotel unaware that a psychopath is living there. It is nothing I haven't heard before from a plot line and unfortunately the cliches keep coming thick and fast.

The first act introduces to the characters and for fifteen minutes we are treated to wooden acting and snarly teenage angst played badly. The girls seem more likable than the guys but it is worth noting that these are a bunch of criminals and the characterisations have been written as such. Christine Vidal (Freaky Friday) is the stand out of a bad bunch for me and her sincerity is at least believable.

Through the second act the plot line splits the teens as they go about various things in the rotting hotel thus making way for the predictability seen in other teen slashers. The attempt at a suspense build up with the whole 'someone is watching' routine falls flat and the foil to Kane's villain, Michael played by Luke Peglar is no where menacing enough to fool anyone.

By the time we actually see Kane, he just appears with no element of surprise but in all fairness as a villain he looks great. Of course, as a wrestler he is a big guy but he literally towers over his victims and looks scary enough. He remains silent throughout until the very end which ruined it for me because their just wasn't enough from him to keep me entertained.

So what about gore, this being a slasher movie after all? It was there but a couple of deaths in it all seemed very samey although I let this slip because this villain has specific methods. The film had some decent enough shots (the kind that the Saw franchise did brilliantly) but for the most part I felt bored as the story just dripped along.

A mini twist half way through tries to pull the audience back in but a lack of development off the back of this, that I felt was integral to Goodnight's character, allows it get lost. From thereon in the film just dragged even with one of the goriest scenes not able to save it. I felt like I was forever waiting for something to happen and didn't care who died next or how.

I longed for pay off and in the third act the pace does pick up as there is a frantic lead up the twist, showdown and ultimate conclusion. For once I never guessed the big reveal but I didn't care either because by that point I wasn't really paying attention.

See No Evil never really redeems itself and the fact that there is a sequel blows my mind. I will however, have to give it a go.

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Coming Soon - Moonlight Cinema

Today I want to share something that I saw advertised recently. Something that filled me with absolute giddiness and something that I found terribly exciting.

For those of you that don't know already, I live in the UK and as such such our weather is absolutely terrible. As such us Brits love summer so much because we long all year round for a little bit of sun and for a short while between June and August we get it.

During these months lots of outdoor events pop up all over the place but recently on facebook I read eagerly about a company called Moonlight Cinemas who are bringing the outdoor cinema experience I so often see in American teen movies to a space near me!

These events are happening in the UK between June and August and have venues secured in a whopping 28 cities. Registration for first access to tickets is available now on their website and there is also a vote going on for which films should be screened.

I'm stoked and will be at the Newcastle date with my vote in for Grease so fingers crossed!

L x

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