Director: Paul Feig
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Chris O'Dowd, Jill Clayburgh
Distributed By: Universal Pictures
Release Date: May 2011
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This movie really made me laugh and it's great to see a really good comedy about women.
Written by and starring the wonderful Kristen Wiig, her character Annie discovers that her best friends impending marriage means their friendship is about to change forever and as Lillian's circle of friends get acquainted the fun really begins!
All the female leads are likable and funny in their own way; Maya Rudolph gives a sensible quality to Lillian who's ready to become a wife.
I love the pairing of Becca and Rita played by Ellie Kemper and Wendi McLendon-Covey, the former being a misty-eyed newly-wed and the latter being completely exhausted by married life and motherhood and their scenes together are hilarious!
Rose Byrne is brilliant as Helen who becomes Annie's nemesis as they try to compete for Lillian's affection and both she and Kristen Wiig are great throughout and have some very funny scenes, especially when they have to hang out together!
But it's Melissa McCarthy's character Megan who steals it as Lillian's soon to be sister-in-law with some stand out scenes that will be remembered!
I also really like Chris O'Dowd as the sweet and good natured cop Nathan.
Filled with copious amounts of humour and scenes that may strike a chord with many of us; Bridesmaids is a great piece of comedy that stands up loud and proud.
~~Nikki~~
Director: Terence Young
Starring: Sean Connery, Pedro Armendáriz, Lotte Lenya, Robert Shaw, Bernard Lee, Daniela Bianchi
Distributed By: United Artists
Release Date: October 1963
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Sean Connery's second outing as James Bond is very enjoyable especially as he gets to grips with Bond's suave nature.
I love the flirtation he has with Miss Moneypenny even when he's in the company of another female!
This time he's the one who seems to fall as he meets beautiful Tatiana Romanova seductively played by Daniela Bianchi.
The villain of this film is even more mysterious than the former Dr. No; known only as 'Number 1' and with a gorgeous cat in his lap he is out for blood and will not except failure. His henchmen/women are ruthless; in particular Rosa Klebb played by Lotte Lenya, who brings an almost uncomfortable flirtatious quality to her character as she briefs Romanova on her mission and her reappearance later on is also brilliantly devious.
Much of the movie takes place on the Orient Express and Bond's encounter with Red Grant played by Robert Shaw is an effective action sequence that will become a trademark of the series. I'm also a big fan of the many cleverly concealed 'gadgets' that continue to make James Bond a spy you don't take for granted!
~~Nikki~~
Director: Thomas Vinterberg
Starring: Mads Mikklesen, Alexandra Rapaport, Thomas Bo Larsen, Annika Wedderkopp
Distributed By: Nordisk Film/Magnolia Pictures
Release Date: January 2013
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A powerful and compelling movie, The Hunt takes us into the life of school teacher Lucas portrayed by Mads Mikklesen.
Lucas is a very likable character who is a good friend and neighbour in his small community and Mikklesen wonderfully portrays the type of person you would want looking after your children as he has genuine care and affection for them; but through a misunderstanding one of his young students accuses him of sexual abuse and things spiral out of control.
The incredibly delicate subject matter is handled with great care and I was torn between feeling utter sympathy for Lucas but also understanding the communities abhorrence at the notion of child abuse and this remarkable film lets us as audience members see just how quickly a life can be torn apart by words and a complete lack of evidence.
With wonderful performances by all involved, whilst the subject matter may be uncomfortable this is a piece of cinema that will linger in the mind long after the credits role.
~~Nikki~~
Director: Terence Young
Starring: Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Joseph Wiseman, Jack Lord, John Kitzmiller
Distributed By: United Artists
Release Date: October 1962
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Whether you are aware of the films or not, the name James Bond is known throughout the world and Dr. No is where the movie franchise based upon Ian Fleming's work begins.
It's clear to see why the character of James Bond has become part of our culture and in this first instalment Sean Connery becomes the spy with a licence to kill and brings effortless charm and sophistication to Bond as he travels to Jamaica on behalf of MI6 to investigate the disappearance of a fellow agent.
Right away you get a sense of who Bond is, a clever man who intrigues his enemies and attracts beautiful women wherever he goes.
The clothes, the cars and locations are all beautiful and the now iconic scene as Ursula Andress walks onto the shore is a moment that has become part of movie history.
The story doesn't take itself too seriously and Connery and Andress have good chemistry. Joseph Wiseman makes Dr. No very mysterious and gives us a taste of what's to come regarding the many Bond villains that will follow.
A likeable movie that kicks off one of cinemas greatest and most long running franchises; James Bond makes the life of a spy a charming and charismatic affair, which is one that most of us can't help falling for.
~~Nikki~~
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