No One Lives - DVD Review

A gang of ruthless highway killers kidnap a wealthy couple traveling cross country only to shockingly discover that things are not what they seem.

Here is the link for the IMDb page.

I knew nothing going in to this movie, all I knew was that it had Luke Evans in it, I didn't read the blurb, he is lovely, so I got it.  Was I in for an eye opener!  I kinda figured that maybe Mr. Evans was a not so nice guy, he is after all, holding a crossbow on the cover.  And I guessed correctly, as the short blurb from IMDb says, things are not what they seem.

I would like to point out - if gore and violence are not your thing, I suggest that you skip this.  There is quite a bit of blood, stabby bid'ness and a rather jaw dropping "ARE YOU FRACKING KIDDING ME!!" scene - you will know it when you get to it.  I wouldn't call this a horror, it's more of a cross between a gorno and a psychological thriller.  But as a fan of this genre, (I *know* who would of thought that 'nice library lady' would like blood and guts!), this was big, blood drenched fun.  As a side note, in the special features they talk about how they made this film using old techniques, rather than CGI, and I found it interesting to learn about.  Also, I may want a pool filled with fake blood to potter around in.

This is essentially a revenge film and it's hard to go into too much of the story as I don't want to give anything away, I think it was more enjoyable not knowing much back story.  But Driver, after watching his lady love die, swears bloody revenge and vows that "No one lives."  I liked this more than the endless Hostel and Saw movies that have come out, (barring the first Saw - I thought that was very well done).  Yes, there is killing out the wahzoo , but I don't feel like it's lazy storytelling.  Whereas in the other movies, once they're strapped to a chair, that's it, no more story, it's just how many different ways can we slice and dice.

It's fast paced, the beginning is suspenseful, you think the movie will unfold a certain way, but things get twisted around and the movie becomes something different.  I thought the acting was good, Evans does menacing well, apart from a couple of faces, most of the cast was unknown to me.  Azumi is the only other movie I've seen by Ryuhei Kitamura, but apparently Versus is very good, so I'll be checking that out also.

What about you, watched anything good lately?

C.

DVD Reviews - With something for everyone!

Prom - This wasn’t too bad, but I think I’m getting too old to watch these movies.  They don’t shine quite as bright as they used to.  Or maybe I'm turning into a horrible cynic!  It was terribly predictable, I’m pretty sure I managed to work out the major plot points and what was going to happen to each character before I watched it.  But what the hell, I love a cheesy movie and it was the perfect movie to watch for NYE.   

And hello new eye candy – although I’m almost 99% sure I’m old enough to be his mother, come on down Thomas McDonell!  He’s Jesse, the angsty hotness counterpart to Nova, the good girl who’s got it all worked out.  This will obviously get compared to High School Musical, and while yes, it is set in a high school, there are teenagers, there are no dance numbers and the storyline is a little older.   

I guess the best way to sum this up is: don’t judge a book by its cover, follow your dreams and don’t rely on others for your happiness.  Don’t lie and cheat – because karma’s a bitch.  And most importantly – bro’s over ho’s.

Fanboys - I’m not a fan of Star Wars by any means, but this was a fun way to pass the afternoon.  And really who doesn’t love a road movie, with awesome cameos – it’s William ‘F*cking’ Shatner and a very scary Seth Rogan.   

Overall this was a lot of fun, I'm a fan of road movies – but it’s still not good enough to make me watch the first Star Wars movies…and nothing will EVER change my mind on that!  I thought the epic fight between the Star Wars / Trek fans was awesome and I loved George Lucas' 'house' was brilliant, I'd make my security dress up as storm troopers if I could!

Eight Legged Freaks - I remember this film from way back, it’s still as silly as I remember.  It’s too ridiculous to be really scary, but it still had me jumping and checking my sheets before I climbed into bed that night.  I do love a good ‘dumped toxic waste or leaked steroids/chemicals that can create mutant wildlife’ story – who could forget the awesome ‘Ticks’ movie? (The link takes you to ‘Infested’, which is what it was called in the US, but ‘Ticks’ on IMDb has the correct movie poster, but the wrong synopsis.  

 My favorite bit is still the jumping spiders as they chase guys on motorbikes through the desert.  Really silly, but the perfect way to forget everything, unwind and have fun for a bit.

 Eden Lake - Ok this wasn’t exactly what I expected.  I enjoyed it yes (as much as one can enjoy a movie like this), but I didn’t think it would be so good.  It had me thinking about it for the next few days – both how I felt about the movie and what I’d do if that was happening to me.  Maybe good isn’t the right word – terrifying perhaps, scary even.   

For those faint of heart, this isn’t the movie for you.  While there is some swearing, compared to the gore and violence it’s nothing.  This had me cringing, biting my lip and hiding my face.  And I think it’s made all the worse because the violence is steeped in reality.  I could see this really taking place – something, not quite as violently has happened in my town. 

This was far from a perfect movie in terms of plot, or actions of some of the characters.  At times I got frustrated by some of the characters actions, and I will never get why Jenny and Steve didn’t just leave, although there was that, I don't think that detracted too much from the story.  When the final credits rolled I was left staring at the screen, thinking ‘What? That’s it? Seriously.’  It was a tightly wound, perfectly combined thriller/horror film.


C.

Cairo Time - Movie Review

Cairo Time

Starring: Patricia Clarkson and Alexander Siddig.

Director: Ruba Nadda

Running Time: 86 Mins.

Juliette, a fashion magazine editor in her fifties, travels to Cairo to meet her husband, Mark, a UN official working in Gaza, for a three week vacation.  When he is unavoidably delayed, he sends his friend Tareq, who had been his security officer for many years, to escort her throughout the beautiful and exotic city.  The last thing anyone expects is that they will fall in love.  

Cairo Time is a romantic drama about a brief, unexpected love affair that catches two people completely off guard.

I want to start this review by saying it’s nice to watch a movie with an Arab man who’s not trying to blow shit up.  In the media today, it’s impossible to miss the tension, the riots, the fighting that plagues that part of the world.  It was refreshing to see instead, these people portrayed in an ordinary setting, as a beautiful and dignified people.  Cairo Time is a beautiful love story with the lush landscape of Cairo and the pyramids as back drop.  It's renewed my interest in visiting the city.

This was a slowly unfolding story, nothing 'big' happens, and I love how Juliette (Clarkson) discovers Cairo, sometimes on her own, at other times with Tareq (Siddig).  They have fantastic chemistry together, which works well with the pace of the film.  Their magnetism is believable and it makes for some blazin' screen time.  And while they fall in love, it isn't acted upon and in part this is painful to watch - in a good way, bittersweet is the word I'm looking for!  But it is so much more effective and packs way more of a punch than if their romance was consummated.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable film, wonderfully acted and beautifully filmed.

Four Stars from the Russian Judge :)

C.

I can has DVDs?

I got to watch a couple of DVDs on the weekend, the first being The Rebound, with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Justin Bartha. I actually enjoyed this a lot. Yes it was predictable, but I thought it was well acted and funny.

The Rebound centers around Zeta-Jones character, Sandy and her move to New York with her two children after she catches her husband cheating. Enter Aram (Bartha), who helps by looking after her kids as she re-enters the workforce. As time goes on they get closer and closer, but is their relationship the real thing or just a 'rebound'.

This is one of the better chick flicks I've seen recently, as I mentioned before, it's well acted and that is partly due to the two leads having actual chemistry, their getting together was believable *I'm looking at you JLO and Ralph Fiennes - I still haven't gotten over the scary mismatch that was Maid in Manhattan*.

The kids add the funny and the awww and both have some great lines of their own - in general the supporting cast was great, with some scary cringe worthy screen time from Supermans dad (John Schneider).

The thing I hate most is the undies in his mouth on the movie poster - I just think it's ick, I know what they're trying to convey, but eww! One other thing is the ending, it's not as sctrong as it could've been, without giving anything away, it leaves it open to personal interpretation, but I was looking for something more. Overall, I enjoyed this a lot and was perfect reward after looking after the terribles for the evening. I'd definitely watch this again, always a good sign in my book.

Then I watched this:

I knew this was going to be bad, I'd heard it was and fully expected it to be so when I first saw the preview. But seriously, what more could I ask for - angels - check, crazy apocalypse - check, hotboys - check, check, check, explosions - CHECK, evil children - shudder (and check).

Legion is the story of an angel (Paul Bettany) who comes to earth the protect a baby, so that humanity has a chance at survival. God has grown angry with us and rather than a flood this time, he's given the order for angels to destroy us. Enter one small diner/mechanics in the middle of the desert (the closest town being an hour away). Charlie (Adrianne Palicki) is a young girl, pregnant with the saviour of mankind. Jeep (Lucas Black) isn't the baby daddy - but he wants to be. He and his father (Dennis Quaid) run the diner where she works. When everything goes down, everyone has to band together to protect Charlie and her baby, while trying to keep the possesed out and them selves alive. In the mix is cook Percy, Kyle - who's lost and the unlucky family whose car has broken down.

For a movie with religious backstory, it has no real mention of religion - beyond God being angry with us, hence sending angels to destroy mankind. I found this kinda annoying, I think it would've added to the story if more religious explanation was added to the story.

And while there were plenty of explosions/gun fights, I would've loved to have seen more fight scenes, there is one which is pretty awesome - who knew angels had bullet proof wings y'all. The angels themselves, or should I say the possessed, are fairly scary, the ice cream dude reminding me a little of The Exorcist when the girl comes down the stairs, spider style. As the movie went on they became fairly standard bad guys and less scary, so there was the possibility of these being a lot more menacing with some more thought from the writers.

And seriously - who doesn't love evil nanna, she is awesome! I think she may even be my fave part. Even when she was all "aww cute when's you're baby due", smile plastered on her face I was all "bitch is crazy evil." See picture above - proof that GRANNY IS EVIL. If that's not scary I don't know what is.

This was predictable, and maybe because I didn't have high expectations, I didn't feel so let down, but there are quite a few flaws that would've been easy to fix if the movie had been given a bit more thought. And as much as I love Lucas Black, I was more than a little confused as to why his character had a Southern accent - I know that he refuses to change his accent, but perhaps another actor could've been used when none of the family had any connection to the south.

Did I love it - no, would I watch it again - hell yeah. Because in all honesty, I'm a huge fan of the craptastic and that's really what this is. Gorgeous, glorious, craptastic fun.

C.

Cathy & Julia

Earlier on in the year I watched Julie & Julia, which I loved. For those living under a rock it's the story of Julie Powell who decides to cook all 536 recipes from Julia Child's Mastering the art of French Cooking, while blogging about it. On the flip side it tells the story of Julia Child's life at the beginning of her culinary career and throughout the creation and publication of her cookbook.

It was a fun movie, I thought Meryl Streep did a fantastic job and the delicious Stanley Tucci who played her husband. Amy Adams was great as Julie Powell. I loved her in Sunshine Cleaning also. I loved the scenes with Julie creating the recipes, but I have to admit that I enjoyed the Julia part of the movie more than the Julie. i haven't read the book (or much of the blog, I did have a play after I saw the movie, but Julie hasn't really added anything for a few years).

So all enthused, I've borrowed Volumes 1 & 2 of Mastering the art of French Cooking (no I'm NOT goind to be cooking every recipe), what I will be doing is have a French night, which I haven't done for ages. But I'll choose starters, main, dessert - the whole hog, just not turbacyducken style, there be slightly more class. While I'm attempting the madness, I'll try and take photos and post the recipes that I choose.

C.

Movies I've watched in 2009 - April

Since I'm doing this late I'm trying to remember everything I've seen, so I'll start small and go from there, as they say from little things big things come...or that could just be my arse!

29. Race to Witch Mountain - This was actually lots of fun and I really enjoyed it, which I've already said in another post so I won't repeat it all again - just go see it.

30. Monsters Vs Aliens - FUNNY!! This was fantastic, possibly one of my fave films this year. My fave characters were Seth Rogan's blobby thing and the Insectasaur and Rainn Wilson was hilarious as the evil alien. One of my fave scenes was the Pres. serenading the aliens with the theme tune to Beverly Hills Cop. Pretty much any scene with the General was a hoot as well, I thought he was channeling R. Lee Erny from Full Metal Jacket and Robert Downey Jnr. from Tropic Thunder. I seriously had trouble breathing through the whole of this movie. I'm so glad I saw this at the cinema, I think it would have lost a little if I'd seen it at home. I would totally go see this again fer shizz.

31. Fast and Furious - This was ahem a work of staggering genuis...or not. Don't get me wrong - I loved it, it was crap and I'm okay with that and while I never shun my duty to watch a hot boy this was kinda wooden from all accounts. Michelle seems to have one kind of character she plays, Vin was surly as usual and poor Paul couldn't get a brah in anywhere. I came to the understanding that there was no brahing, on account of them no longer being friends, but come on - right at the end when they were all besties again there was room for one little brah surely...sigh. I will totally admit I loved the opening sequence, suspending all reality, it was brilliant and the drive through the caves was nifty. I don't really know where they can go from here, in terms of the current cast, obviously Vin can't head back to the States, I guess they can take up where Tokyo Drift left off. But one may ask the question, do we really need another FF sequel? Well ok, why not, who doesn't love a hot boy or two driving fast and beating the crap outta each other and lovingly calling each other brah...Dominic and Brian can do a reverse Thelma and Louise and have a bromance that transcends time.

32. Wolverine - Okay I've also done a review of this so I'll keep this one short too. I really enjoyed this, good to be able to see what happened to Logan before X-Men. Hopefully it does well enough that we get some more Origin movies.

I know there were more movies, I just gots to remember them, so until then my pretties, enjoy these lovely reviews and wait ever so patiently and ye shall be rewarded :) Yay bananas!!

Shitballs! I remembered more - how could I forget...

33. 17 Again - I went to this for one reason and one reason only - to perve at the hot boy. Now don't be all mean with the laughing, he's hot and I'm sure that boy could bounce a coin off his butt. I found the actual movie a little disturbing, the movie went to an oh so wrong place when his daughter started mackin on him, complete with sexy talk, growling and biting *gag* The fake dad (Matt Perry's high school friend), is kinda funny. Basically he's mega rich, sounds like he's never been laid and dresses like Clay Aitken. But never fear, he finds time to have some sexy time complete with elf ears. This is by no means an original story and it won't be winning any awards...ok, maybe a few razzies. But it was funny, not pay to see it again fun, but fun no less. Sides did I mention the hot boy?

C.

Watchmen Review

I'm taking advantage of the work laptop to catch up on all the posts I've been meaning to add. So here's the first of like fiddy beelion. Now you has to pretend it's like the day after it was released at the cinema, otherwise you'll be a like WTF?!

After many months I finally saw Watchmen after donkeys and despite a number of shite reviews bout it buzzing in mah head - I liked it. By no means a masterpiece, but still good. There was some great action scenes and one song I liked the soundtrack, (we'll get back to the sexy times sone in a minute).

Again hot boy Denny/Mr. Winchester, Weeds dude kicks it...sigh. It's like he's JCVD wife - fated to die!! Poor thing, I dont' know what's worse, dying all the time or being compared with JCVD movie wives - TANGENT - pologies.

What I didn't like was the kinda long intro. I understand why they have long intros, cover backstory etc, but by the end I was over it and just wanted it to start. I wasn't a fan of the editing either, kinda all over the place which was annoying.

Okay, now the sexy times scene for Silk Spectre and Dr. Manhattan - more than a little freaky, I was all dude with the hands, oh dude extra person! It was all a little Michael Keaton for me. The there was the one between Niteowl and SS. I just started laughing and they butchered Halellujah, completely wrong song for the scene, even when it was Jeff Buckley singing. Ugh...red bucket party of one.

Roaschack (scusi the spelling), his 'what ink blot is that?' Pretty butterfly bit made me laugh. His scenes were my fave. For me he was the best character and really captured what I think Alan Moore was trying to put across with the graphic novel - I'm hoping I got the dude's name right :)

Overall, I liked it, more than Underworld 3. I need to read the graphic novel and do a little comparison, fingers crossed it's in clolour - I'm all it's black and white 'I ain't reading that!'. I thought I'd put a link to a different review of Watchmen on here (later of course), different view from mine, but a great review.

Either way, go and see it for yourself, or now if you reading this, wait ever so patiently for it to arrive on DVD :)

C.

Wolverine Review.

I had a lovely evening out last night some ribs (I'm vaccinating myself the fun way - with lots of porky goodness - it's Cathy logic, just run with it :), then we went and saw Wolverine. Basically I loved it. Here's a review of what I thought - Please note there be spoilers.



I thought the opening sequence was fantastic. It sets a lot of back ground between Logan and Victor and how their relationship started to change. You get to see Logan (although he's Jimmy at this point - slightly confusing yes), discovering he's not quite human. It was put together really well, I liked the idea of it flowing through the wars, until you're introduced to the orginal line up of Logan, Victor, Wade, Zero, Wraith, Bolt and Dukes and their leader, Stryker.

After Logan leaves the group he moves to Canada, shacks with a teacher (Kayla) and becomes a lumberjack (q the song - you know you want too). Of course, happiness can't last and his lady friend is killed by Victor. In his anger Logan allows Stryker to inject him with the Adamantium and so Wolverine is born and yes ladies, this is where Hugh gets nude and we are given a nice view of his manly hotness.

On the hunt for Victor and the mysterious 'Island' we get to see Wraith and Dukes for the first time in 6 years. Dukes is considerably larger and this section of the movie seems to have been filmed by the Farrelly Bros. The boxing scene is probably one of the funniest I've seen since the midget nut punching fight in Bad Santa. Althought Wraith isn't in the movie much , I really like Will. I. Am performance.

The CGI was pretty good, there were only a couple of times when it was really noticable - where Wolverine has his helicopter fight with Zero and where the kids are running towards Prof. X at the end. I thought it was kinda funny having all the skippys in the film, I was waiting for the rest of the cast of McLeods daughters to come toddling out.

I was all upset that they ruins it fats hobbit the hot boy (Wade). He still had the hot bod, just a rather scary face. When he was Wade, he kinda reminded me of Hannibal from Blade Trinity and his character is definately played for laughs. Well cept for the end where he's Deadpool and all cranky and looks well pissed at being attacked with a sharpie.

It was nice to see the beginnings of some of the more well known characters Cyclops, Sabretooth and Prof. X - although he's looking plastic surgery scary on account of trying to look younger than in the first X-Men movie. I'm not sure how this fits exactly with the first movie, cause when Wolverine and Sabretooth meet in X-Men, it's like they don't have that history (I know that this is because the first one wasn't made it a prequel in mind but I'm just saying).

It would have been good if more time had been used to explore the other mutants abilities/backstories. I understand why it wasn't - the movie's call Wolverine not Mutants. But some of the characters were there as plot devices and not much else. Bolt is really only there to show us how bad Victor has gotten - killing his own kind. I'm guessing that if Wolverine goes well there may be other origin movies or perhaps other X-Men movies. A Sabretooth one would be good, seeing the flip side of Wolverine. But I don't know which other characters could carry a movie on their own. I was cranky that the old couple kicked it, they were cool and it would have been nice to see Logan going back and Clark Kenting it.

Overall, the film was great, I enjoyed the performances. I thought Danny Huston (Stryker), was fantastic. Liev Schreiber as Victor was perfectly menacing and I would love to see him in the X-Men world again. I know this has had mixed reviews. I didn't realise X-Men 3 was so disliked. Where was I when that was going down? I guess, when you think about it, I an very easily swayed by hot boys in lycra. It wasn't my fave one of the series, but it was all good where I stood. But has anyone else noticed Hugh's fancy for playing wolfy characters? There's the four X-Men movies and Van Helsing (although it's only for a blink and you miss it). He also loves the scene where he gets to howl over dead love interest. DAMN...Hugh's sexy time with the ladies seems to be following JCVD lead. Soon there won't be nary a lady left alive. At least Hugh's more convincing with his emotional acting and I'm pretty sure he could kick JCVD ass.

I haven't read any of the graphic novels so I'm not sure how the movie lives up to this (badly I guess, if you go by some of the complaints). One of the complaints was with Kayla and why she betrayed Logan. My take on that is that Stryker would never let Kayla get close enough to touch him to just influence him into letting her sister go. If it was me I'd be gun in hand whenever she was in the room. In the end, Stryker's not thinking straight , so she's able to influence him then.

Either way I liked Wolverine and no doubt I'll go see it again. Here's another look at Hugh, although he kinda looks more GQ than Wolverine with his swagger. Noice. Break me off a piece of that white chocolate.

Happy after Easter!!

I had a not so relaxing Easter, but it's all good (apparently), on the plus side I did get to spend time with my lovely cuj and her kidlets. Plus I had 5 1/2 days off - always a good thing in my book. And pray tell how did I spend my time over Easter. I began the celebrations on Thursday night by heading to see 'Race to Witch Mountain', which was actually rather good. I knew I would enjoy it, but it was a lot funnier than what I'd thought it was going to be. The Rock (or Dwayne Johnson as he is now referred to), was hitting my funny bone - the hottness factor was up to, gosh he's pretty. Anyway, here's a quick rundown of what RTWM is all about:

Las Vegas cabbie (Johnson), is trying to be all good after shenanigans landed him in jail, he finds two kids (Anna Sophia Robb & Alexander Ludwig), in his cab who later reveal that they are aliens, trying to find their ship, among other things so they can travel back to their planet and save it (as you do). They enlist the help of UFO specialist (Carla Gugino), highjinks and run ins with evil alien (Siphon) and bad FBIish type people follow (you can tell they're bad - they wear black and don't smile). I kinda just suspended reality and had fun with this, it was a great way to blow a couple hours. I'm assuming that they'll make the next movie, fingers crossed cause I want to see it as well. I also saw Monsters Vs. Aliens, but I'll save that for another post!

C.

Movies I've watched in 2009 - March

Okay, so heres the list of lovely stuff I watched for march...dammit, don't you hate it when you lose said list.

19. Watchmen - Okay, I like this despite mixed reviews, it seems to be a love it/hate it kinda movie. I'll keep it short here as I've done a full review of this which I'll post soon.

20. The Nannie Diaries - I quite enjoyed this, I'm a Scarlet fan myself. I'd read the book of this so there were a few differences - more Harvard Hottie for one (which I'm so NOT complaining about) and the ending was changed slightly. Overall, I liked it Laura Linney was great as the tight laced/repressed/bitchy/perpetually cranky/slave driving Mrs X. I'm a fan of Paul Giamatti, but he seemed kinda wrong for the character of Mr. X - or at least what I had pictured in my head. The Grayer character was cute as, I'd happily watch this again.

21. Adrift - This is the sequal to Open Water, which was based on the US couple that was left behind on the Barrier Reef in QLD. This time it's a group of friends in the Bahamas (I think), who get stranded after they all end up in the water, without putting the ladder down on their yacht. This also comes with a 'based on a true story', which I ignored, because, really this is a cash cow movie that's riding on the back of the first movie. It has McSteamy from Grey's in it, and a cast of people I recognise - just not by name. I didn't mind the movie, I was expecting shark bouffet - but it was far from it, not a single shark was seen for the whole movie. It was actually not too bad. It was all psychological drama, with the characters going a bit funny one by one. It's all compounded by the main female lead being afraid of the water after watching her father drown when she was a little girl. I can't honestly say I'd ever watch it again, but for what it was I quite enjoyed it.

22. Devil Diary - This was crap - d grade crap, terrible acting, terrible plot, terrrible, terrible, terrible...and I loved it!! Two girls find a blank diary in a graveyard, Mayhem follows. One of the girls writes her angsty feelings of alienation and persecution by kids at school in the diary. She also writes that she wants the populary girl to break her legs and the next day it happens. The popular girls discover that it's the book that is the key to their friends being hurt, so they steal it - causing origianl angsty girl to have her debt collected (good ol' satan takes her soul).

23. Boondock Saints - One of my all time fave. movies. I loves it. Hot boys, action, good music, a zippy little story and Willem Defoe playing a gay detective with hilarious results. I'm glad to report there is a swqual in the works fingers crossed it also kicks ass. I love Sean P Flannery and Norman Reedus in their roles, they really bounce well off each other and seriously - HOT!!

24. Lost in Austen - This TV adaption was hilarious! I love the main character, she's been in a few things lately and is fantastic on screen. It's gret to see her bumble through the period world dressed in 'otter hunting kit' trying to fit into polite society (and failing terribly - snogging Mr. Bingley for one). The chemistry between Amanda and Mr. Darcy is palpable and when she asks him to do one thing for her (not going to spoil it for you -humena humena!!) I loved this and have already watched it again, along with my fave bits. My gripe for this is that my DVD didn't come with Amanda singing her version of 'Down Town', so I'm pissed bout that.

25. Dead Like Me - I had no idea that this was out yet, I'd seen it on IMDB, but sometimes things just don't click. Anyway, I like this for the most part. It's a follow on from the two seasons of the TV show - check it out it's fantastic! Rube is gone (which I don't like), they've replaced Daisy (which I definately don't like), but apart from that it's good, it does tie up some loose ends for fans - although the ending has been left open for another movie (yes please). George and Mason are my two fave characters. It's fully of the witty banter that we love from the series and as a stand alone, the unsuspecting viewer could easily follow the story.

26. 12 Rounds - John Cena is back and teamed with Renny Harlin - basically shit gets blown up, John Cena saves the day (and the dog - who is so cute!!) and does it all without breaking a sweat, bones, or an acting muscle. This is better then the Marine, in terms of his acting - but seriously when I went to see this I wasn't going for the movie, I was going to purve on the hot boy blowing shit up and in that case it delivers. The basic plot is that John's charcter is a cop that makes a big arrest, and the bad guy comes after him and takes his gf hostage and makes him go through '12 rounds' before he can have her back. Deep man, deep.

27. Nim's Island - This movie was a lot of fun, most people would remember this as a book. I had read it such a long time ago, I couldn't remember much of it when I watched it, but that's not a bad thing. Abigale Breslin was great, as far as precocious child actors are, she is one of the ones that annoys me the least - I loved her in Little Miss Sunshine. Jodie Foster was funny too, she often plays such serious characters, that it's nice to see her doing something different. Gerard Butler was handsome as usual and I liked the idea of the absent father playing the Alex Rider character. The actual island was beautiful, I'd happily live there and seriously how cute is that lizard!

28. Wanted - I'd seen this before, but I thought this kicked ass. Ole Mr. McEvoy was well spiffy and Angelina was hot as usual...I so totally turn and give her a good hand holding. I thought the action in this was fantastic, loved the car chase and it was just a little different, which always makes a noice change when watching a new movie.

Okay, I think that's all of 'em, quite enjoyed myself last month, I'm off to see Witch Moutain tomorrow night, looks good from where I'm standing.

C.

Twilight

I thought it was about time I did my review of the movie. Personally - I loved it. It's cheesy, has some suspect CGI and made me cringe a couple of times, but the mix of beautiful people, surrounds and music along with a kick ass story and it thumbs up baby.

The gorgeous landscape & brilliant cinematography (I now want to move to Portland, Oregon!! But shh...don't tell my cuj, she wants me to move to Stirling) was fantastic. The wide shots of the mountains and foggy bits really set the mood. It was truly beautiful and almost a character of it's own.

The music - I think the soundtrack is great, there's isn't a song that I don't like - I just wish that the song that's playing as the credits roll (Radionhead), was on the soundtrack too. Some standouts are The Black Ghosts - Full Moon, Blue Foundation - Eyes on Fire, Paramore - Decode Iron & Wine - Flightless Bird, American Mouth and how could I not mention Robert Pattinson, he has two songs on the soundtrack Never Think and Let Me Sign (only available on the iTunes release). I also bought the score by Carter Burwell who created Bella's Lullaby - genius!! I really love the score, it has some beautiful pieces.

Now onto the hot boys!! Just what everyone was waiting for. Let's start with Rob, I'd never seen him in anything else and I have now happily jumped on the RPattz bandwagon, I'm in lust baby - LUST!! I recently watched 'The Bad Mother's Handbook', which was hilarious and quite different from Edward, but I think he's great. When I first saw pictures, I had huge doubts he didn't really look like the Edward I'd pictured, but I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't really have access to much else (I'm so not watching harry fucker and that's final). But I like his performance. I love the little smile he has as Jessica is explaining who they all are in the the cafeteria.

I thought Kellan Lutz nailed Emmett, the baseball & kitchen scenes cemented it for me, he was great and these are two of my favorite scene in the movie. Jackson Rathbone was great as Jasper, I like his constant pained look, makes me laugh. Peter Facinelli as Carlise made me go hmmm, the first time I saw him, but I think he was a good choice. Cam Giganet as James was suitable menacing and Billy Burke as Charlie was FUNNY! I really loved his character, he bought some lightness and mirth to the film. Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black, he's hot, but he'skind of a non event in this movie, I'm so glad they kept him for NM and I'm really looking forward to seeing him being able to expand in this role (literally & figuratively).

As for Kristen Stewart as Bella, overall, I liked her, a couple of points I was all blah (where she wigs out at the hospital - just a little weird), but I thought she did a great job. I loved her in Into The Wild. I'm looking forward to her in NM & hopefully she gets to do all the cool stuff with Jacob she does in the book. I thought Ashley Greene as Alice was great, she really brought the character to life. Nikki Reed as Rosalie was matched in some ways, she played nasty well, but (and I mean no disrespect), she isn't the most beautiful lady in the world. I so love her shoes tho - me wannie!! Elizabeth Reaser as Esme was a non event really, kinda like Jacob, what I saw I liked, hopefully there's more to come.

I haven't really done all the characters, but since this could possible go down as one of the longest posts in blogging history (well mine anyway), I'm not going to mention them all :)

Now what was wrong with it - let's start with the sparkly bits, I just didn't like it. Somehow it looked too fake, don't ask me how to fix it but hopefully they do for the rest of the films. Make up is also something they need to play with, some of the lipstick on the boy vamps was too dark, it looked weird, but then I supposed most lipstick would look like too much on pasty white faces.

I was also disappointed with the Cullen house. In the books it reads like it a huge victorian mansion, respendant with old world charm & antique furniture, the house in the movie, while beautiful and open is far too modern and archetectual (I think I just made that word up). Which also brings me to Edward's room - it's all wrong. Again, I had a much bigger, masculine and darker room in mind. I love the openess of the room, but I don't know how well it will translate when they get to certain scenes in Eclipse.

Now that we're in Edwards room - WTF is with 'spidermonkey'? I actually squealed and asked that very question the first time I saw this at the cinema. It's not in the book and I can't remember where I read it but apparently Hardwick gave Rob a number of lines and that's the one he chose. Ack, I still feel dirty...the other wierd moment was the first time Bella & Edward are in the classroom (or as I've come to know it the 'jizz in my pants scene' - type Edward - jizz in my pants into YouTube and you'll see what I mean, lolz). I understand the scene and why it was filmed that way, but it's still funny, I'm glad that I'd previously cracked and read 'Midnight Sun' (Twilight from Edwards pov), as it explained the whole shudder incident.

I'm hoping the next couple of movies are a little more 'adult', from what I remember, there was a whole lot more kissing and I missed that from the movie, I would have loved to see more smooching - although I thought the kissing scene was good with the whole 'don't move, etc'. I don't know bout you, but if that was me I woulda been all over him like a fat kid with a plate of donuts!!

Overall, I really loved the film, it's not perfect by a long stretch, but I didn't care. I think as a whole it's a lovely movie. It may have helped that I hadn't read Twilight since it first came out in 05. I know a quite a few people were disappointed as it didn't follow the book more. But you can't realistically put everything from the book in the movie, it's not an option. I'm not very impatiently waiting for the dvd release so I can checkout the extras...I want it now!!!! And I'm looking forward to NM, only 9 months or so and it's here!!

C.

What I've watched in 2009 - February

Just thought I'd jump on for a quick post, it's late and I still have lots of work to do. I've got fingers crossed that Watchmen will start here tomorrow - technically it's been advertised at the cinema so is should be here. Anyway I thought I'd update my movie viewing, which sadly there was not a lot of. I'll start with a little JCVD. lol.

14. In Hell - OMG! Where do I start, I spent the majority of this movie having a right chuckle. The action montage that was bound to happen was a hoot and my favorite bit was where the huge dude that spends the majority of the film locked up in solitary realises who JCVD is and they bang the wall in a show of solidarity and solitary confinement brotherhood. LOVES IT!! We followed up with

15. Wake of Death - This one also produce much hilarity, but was on the crapper side of the scale. But it did give JCVD the oppertunity to flex his muscles in a touching scene with his dead wife. Which brings me to the next question - why do the majority of his spouses end up dead?? Poor ladies, so he won't find anyone to play his missus.

16. Babylon A.D. - Again, I know, but I'm doing the whole acurately recording what I watch plus hello!! Vin Diesel. There were bits missing from this version I saw, not anything important but I was all did I fall asleep and miss...but I didn't, they were just trying to trick me while I was basking in the glory of Vin. Which then put me in the mood to watch...

17. A Man Apart - Which is a pretty good film, I like the actiony bits and it's nice to see Vin doing a little hot shoe shuffle...what I wouldn't give...I don't need both kidneys right??

18. Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans - Words fail me a how bad this actually was. I had read a review saying that this was the best of the 3 movies, but Bill Nighy's overacting ruined it for me. I couldn't take him or his character seriously. I didn't mind the two leads, Lucian and Sonja & some of the fight scenes were quite good, although some were a bit fast which made it hard to see. I totally didn't get why the opening credits from the first film were placed at the end. It had no bearing on the rest of the film, just weird. Overall, I did like how if fleshed out the lycan/death dealers histories - but it could have been so much better.

Okay, I think there may be one or two more, but I'll catch up with that later. Enjoy what's left of your night/day :)

C.

Pan's Labyrinth review

I've been meaning to put this review on since Saturday, so here 'tis.

I saw this at work and took it home over the weekend. I LOVE this movie, I've seen it a couple of times now & every time it's still magical to watch. Del Toro gives excellent direction & the scenery is so beautiful. I love the music & how he comes up with all of the creatures is fantastical & the string beany handy-eye man is deliciously scary (don't ya just love my descriptive prowess!).
After the first time I saw it, I was talking with a friend about the movie & their perspective was completely different. I'd totally fallen for the story, as if it were true, which doesn't happen often. His take was "it's amazing what children will make up to escape an unhappy childhood." I was all what you talkin bout Willis? I was just so into the story I didn't see that persepective at all, but of course in hindsight - it's true.
I could seriously watch this again & again, it's a truly brilliant film & definitely one of my faves. I think that's why I like the second Hell Boy more as well, it has lots elements found in Pan's Labyrinth.

C.

What I've watching in 2009 - January

I've decided to keep a tally of what I've watched/watching/wanting to watch for 2009. Yay!! I'm also a little scared because it's going to show just how much of a couch potato I really am. Shhhh...don't tell anyone!! So let's get the ball rolling with what I've watched so far in January:

1. Lost Boys 2: The Tribe - Hmmm...good but bad, it's gone the way of the gorno, with both the blood and t&a factors amped up. The lead boy is kinda hot, and it has a Sutherland - lesser known of course, but still a Sutherland. That counts for something right?? Overall, it was kinda crap and what was with The Feldman's voice, I just didn't get it, was he trying to sound all commando?? Cause it was coming out more constipated. I'd happily watch it again - as long as I didn't have to pay for it. Plus there was the less then stellar other Corey (Haim) in the alternate ending, who while is still living actually looks dead. Repeat after me - Drugs are BAD mmmkay...

2. Harold & Kumar: Escape from Guantánamo Bay - This was actually my favorite movie of the whole weekend. I laughed so hard, which is totally inappropriate, as most of the jokes are at someone else expense. But I still crack up thinking about it so it can't be all bad right. And you gotta love NPH - or as he shall be forever now known: Neil Poon Handler - classic

3. Baby Mama - Hmmm...I don't really like Tina Fey, but I like the blond chick so I watched it. Funny, but there won't be a repeat performance.

4. Anaconda 3: Offspring - Crapper movies have been made I am sure, but this was truly awful. I don't know what I was more afraid of - The giant CGI anaconda or The Hoff's scary new facelift. The acting was atrocious as was everything else. It wasn't even scary. I would rather be dropped into the anaconda orgy pit from the second move while Celine Dion music was playing, than watch this EVER again.

I paused here, 'cause I'd written a list and now I can't find it, which has put me in a pickle cause I can't remember everything...damn you Salazar...

5. Another Gay Movie - This was another corker. A boy from one of our branches wanted to borrow this, but 'cause he isn't of age, he couldn't have it. So in fine fighting form I said get it anyway. Boy am I glad we did...I think...I'm still a little scared. About 30 seconds in from the credits and I was squealing at the wrongness. For the uneducated, this is a rip off of the American Pie series, but with gays and quiche (I knew there was a reason I don't like egg). Probably the thing I disliked about this was the butch lesbian chick, she annoyed the crap outta me. Ruins it fat hobbitses.

6. Into the Wild - I loved this film. From the photography, direction, music and the cast, it was fantastic. Everyone did such a lovely job and I must admit I did have a little cry at the end. I knew what was coming, but Emile Hirsh was brilliant, he kinda blew me away with his performance. Sean Penn suprised me again, I don't often associate him with this kind of brilliance, but he has changed my mind a number of times over the last couple of years.

7. The Spiderwick Chronicles - This was fun, I haven't read the books so I don't know if they are similar/better, but I enjoyed this for the most part. Although the lead boy (who plays twins), was kinda annoying sometimes.

8. Pineapple Express - I laughed so hard! I really like James Franco & Seth Rogan. I didn't think it would be as funny as it was. The whole end bit was hilarious and I loved the Red charcter.

9. Babylon AD - What can I say - wait let's try...Vin Deisel. 'Nuf said really. I liked this movie right up until the last couple of minutes, the end was shit. But the action was pretty good and not too fake. Vin was suitably hot and all cranky with his action. In his topless scene his man boobs looked almost as big as mine!! lol.

10. Transporter 3 - I actually liked this better than the second one. Transporter (for that is how he shall always be referred to), was all grr then he was all hmmm, then he was all rawrh, then he was all ehehehehe, then he was all rargh again. So basically hot for the whole thing, just with different facial expressions. There were a couple of times when I was WTF!! with the action, seriously - flipping your car up on two wheels to drive between two trucks to escape bad guys. Blargh!! But the rest was sweet.

11. The Bad Mother's Handbook - I watched this on YouTube as it's not available in Australia yet. It has Robert Pattinson *sigh* in it, being a total dweeb (which is basically why I wanted to watch it), but I really liked it. It also had the comic stylings of Catherine Tate. While it was a comedy, it also had some serious bits in it -it deals with teen pregnancy & adoption n stuff. But overall it was a funfest. I'd like to watch it right proper so hopefully they will release it here.

12. Wild Child - This was a nice bit of brain candy. It was fun to watch and had me giggling like a little tweenie. It was all a bit silly and just what I needed - some light entertainment. Alex Pettyfer was hot as usual and it even had some mature hot boy - for those who don't like the 4 & 20 - Aidan Quinn. The basic premise is Poppy ( Emma Roberts) is a spoiled rich Malibu teen who has gone too far after playing an over-the-top prank, her dad (Quinn), decides to send her to an English boarding school for girls as punishment. Stereotypical boardingschool hilarity follows.

13. Taken - I'd already seen this last year, but I enjoyed it, so I was happy to watch it again! Liam Neeson - old but hot, stars as the overprotective father of Maggie Grace's character, Kim. She and her friend Amanda are kidnapped after landing in Paris, taken by evil Albanian's intent on selling her virgin ass to the highest bidder, (apparently Amanda was a ho cause she was going to be a street hooker). Dad, to say the least is pissed and vows to find his daughter and kill the evilness that has kidnapped her. I really enjoyed this and Liam spends most of the movie kickin ass and takin names, all while remaining injured, which while is helpful in the movie is a night unrealistic - but I was doing my best to suspender my reality for the duration.

If I can find the list I'll add the others and I don't really feel so bad it's only 13 DVDs so far...hehehe. I've decided to add an updated list at the end of every month.

I was also going to make a similar list for books that's I'd read in 2009. I was planning to read the 52 Books from Penguin Books, but I got bored reading the list of the books I had to read, so I didn't bother with the actual books.

Plus I'm still going with the lists from last year - msut read faster, must read faster. I'm guaranteed to read at least 10 books this year thanks to 'Just a lil' Book Club', plus there will be some tasty reads thanks to my Uni subjects I'm sure (blagh), I'll pull out some of the movies/books and tell you just what I think as well, which really, is only to be expected :)

Just to let you know what I thought, I'll probably put a couple of lines on the stuff I watch too. Enjoy.

C.

It's not noice and it's not really unyewsyuall

I finally watched the first two episodes of the US version of Kath & Kim and I have to say - what a disappointment. It really was lacking in yumor and I can totally see why 7 axed it after two weeks. It just wasn't funny. I know that the original creaters went over and helped produce the show but it seems like they lost 'it', whatever that may be. Kim wasn't ocker enough and she's not supposed to be good looking, she needed to be more 'trailer park'. Kath just reminded me of Peggy Bundy from 'Married with Children'. Although I must admit her workout outfit did get me cracking a smile. I thought I'd get a laugh out of the show, even comparing it with the original, because I don't usually get bothered by the whole remake thing, but it wasn't funny. The characters/timing just seemed off. So I guess I'll just have to stick to the original version, skipping the movie and last season because they weren't really that funny.


On the plus side I watched 'Doomsday' with Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, Malcolm McDowell etc. I really enjoyed it, super gory but I started watching this thinking that it was a zombie movie, preparing to be scared, but wasn't, there are a couple of jumpy outy bits, but you kinda know they're going to happen so you're prepared for it. The grossness factor is right up there though...ewwww is all I can say, there's exploding bits and medium rare long pig, it's all a little icky. This is from the guy (Neil Marshall), who did Dog Soldiers and The Descent, both of which I liked. I was well chuffed that the guy from Dog Soldiers (Darren Morfitt) was in it and he didn't die - yay! I think this had caught a lot of flack for not being very original and I have to say I kept on waiting for Tina Turner to pop out and start singing 'We don't need another hero', I could see heaps of other movies as I was watching - Mad Max, Resident Evil, 28 Days Later, Underworld, but I didn't really care, I was having a ball. Rhona Mitra's character (Mjr. Eden Sinclair), has a glass eye which she uses to her advantage and is pretty nifty and I must say - I feel very sorry for the poor bunny :( Overall, I didn't care that it didn't have fantastic dialogue and that it wasn't completely original, cause seriously - how can any movie be 100% original? I had fun, lmao, cringed and it had a hot boy, so I was happy :)

Okay that's enough of my opinion for the day, it's off to book group for me, enjoy your day.

C.

Bah...Who needs sleep!!!

Okay, I'v been rather neglectful, but it's been a busy couple of weeks, so I thought I would say super quick hola as it's late and I've just finished typing my assignment up and I need to sleep as I'm having trouble making my fingers type the right thing. So quick overview of things to come: BABIES - two of them!!, some book reviews and a very citing and much anticipated review of Dog the Bounty Hunter, movie review, BJJ competition fun and much more...cited aren't you...I can tell :)

Well possums, I'll leave it there as I just fell asleep for a second!! Not good, specially cause I'm supposed to be getting up at 8:30 today. >:(

C.

I want to believe that there will be more aliens...eventually...maybe...hopefully...

Dan and I went and saw X-Files on Sunday but it was all a little disappointing. I loved the fact that I was watching Mulder & Scully in semi action again, but it just wasn't at all what I was expecting - it wasn't X-Filey enough. The ick factor was there - so there, but where were the aliens???? And what pray tell was with that beard...
After I resigned myself to the fact that there would be no aliens, I did enjoy the film, the story and action were good, and it was shot in the same style as the tv series - not to bright, quite drab colours, fairly fast pased, but it didn't feel like a drawn out episode which is always a plus. The set came complete with the 'I want to believe poster', sunflower seeds and pencils in the ceiling. The roles of the replacement agents - Xibit & Amanda Peet - with believer and sceptic roles reversed, were okay, Xibit was there as filler and Peet served her purpose - to get Mulder back in the game and then also was kinda put aside - neither characters were really explored, which I guess in the grand scheme of things isn't necessary as the movie's supposed to be about Mulder and Scully.
Overall, I enjoyed the film, it wasn't what I was expecting, but it was good anyway. It's getting 3 stars from me. Hopefully if they do any more X-Files movies, they will focus more on the what the roots of the show was based on, without focus on Mulders sister - if possible, (I know this makes up a huge part of why Mulder does what he does, but we know what happened to her and we know she's dead, to me it's all good in da hood on that subject, enough already!

C.