Director: Rob Bowman
Starring: Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey, Izabella Scorupco, Gerard Butler
Distributed By: Touchstone Pictures
Release Date: July 2002
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One of my favourite movies in the dragon genre; this doesn't mess around!
This is grim stuff set in an almost completely destroyed world with the dragons supremely in charge, but there are also some sweet moments as the adults try to keep up a sense of optimism for the young.
Christian Bale always portrays serious characters very well and Gerard Butler adds some much needed charm.
Izabella Scorupco is excellent and it's nice to see a woman toughing it out with the men.
Without a doubt this is Matthew McConaughey's movie; his transformation into the character of Van Zan is truly remarkable and his acting is superb.
The story is very believable for a movie of this type and the CGI is outstanding!
The dragons themselves seal the deal, they are beautifully scary creatures that light up the screen as they thwart our hero’s plans!
This is a movie worth repeat viewings; a dark and gritty man vs. nature showdown and its one hell of a show...
~~Nikki~~
Director: George Nolfi
Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, Michael Kelly, Terence Stamp, Donnie Keshawarz, Anthony Ruivivar
Distributed By: Universal Pictures
Release Date: March 2011
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This is a stylish thriller with a supernatural twist.
I love how normal the whole movie feels. Nothing is too overdone and each scene feels believable.
Both Matt Damon and Emily Blunt give beautifully understated performances as they meet and feel a spark of what they both want to fulfil and the members of the bureau are mysterious as they become a feature in David's life with Terrance Stamp bringing a creepy factor into the mix and the movie does a good job with its twists and turns.
This compelling story about loss, love and fate is charming in every way.
Now where did I leave my hat?
~~Nikki~~
Director: Neil Burger
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Robert DeNiro, Anna Friel, Johnny Whitworth
Distributed By: Relativity Media
Release Date: March 2011
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I love everything about this movie!
Bradley Cooper does brilliantly as his character Eddie goes between being extremely focused to being on very intense downward spirals!
The cinematography is great throughout and I especially love the intense brightness of inspiration as pills kick in!
The cast are all great and Robert DeNiro is powerful in his infrequent moments on screen.
This is a really intriguing movie that's full of action and I found myself equally fearing for Eddie and cheering him on throughout!
Enjoyably tempting!
~~Nikki~~
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari, Eddie Deezen, Charles Fleischer, Steven Tyler, Michael Jeter
Distributed By: Warner Bros.
Release Date: November 2004
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This is quite beautiful.
Tom Hanks brings such warmth to this movie in his various roles and the animation is wonderful to watch.
The story is the sort we are taught to believe as children and makes the movie seem truly magical and the Reindeer bell scene in particular always makes me tear-up!
The music by Alan Silvestri is lovely and I always find that the songs stay with me long after it's finished.
This is a movie I watch at least a couple of times over the Christmas period each year and should definitely be regarded as one of the most heartwarming Christmas movies ever!
~~Nikki~~
Director: Brian Henson
Starring: Michael Caine, Steven Mackintosh, Dave Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Rudman, Steve Whitmire, Jessica Fox, Meredith Braun, Robin Weaver, Karen Prell, Mike Quinn, Louise Gold, Robert Tygner, William Todd Jones, Don Austen
Distributed By: Walt Disney Pictures
Release Date: December 1992
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I grew up watching The Muppet Show and this takes me right back!
This is a really nice version of the familiar story about Ebenezer Scrooge wonderfully played by Michael Caine.
There’s a lot to enjoy here including sweet songs, funny moments with our Dickensian Muppets and of course the well-known festive tale about morals and Christmas cheer.
A great movie that reminds us about the true meaning of Christmas!
~~Nikki~~
Director: Ellory Elkayem
Starring: David Arquette, Kari Wührer, Scott Terra, Doug E. Doug, Scarlett Johansson
Distributed By: Warner Bros.
Release Date: July 2002
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I don't like spiders so I wasn't thrilled at the concept of spending nearly 2hrs watching enormous arachnids terrorising a small out-back town! However, this is more of a comedy than a scare-fest!
It has all the classic monster movie scenarios and the cast all do perfectly well in their 'shocked' approach to the creatures that are killing off townsfolk in intriguing ways!
Strangely I thought the biggest spiders looked the best and the CGI was well handled for a movie of this type.
I shall now commence checking my shoes and other nooks and crannies for the next few days...
~~Nikki~~
Director: George Miller
Starring: Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving
Distributed By: Warner Bros. Pictures/Village Roadshow Pictures
Release Date: November 2006
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I fully expected it to be squarely aimed at children, but it's perfect for adults to enjoy as well!
The animation is absolutely breathtaking and the scene with the penguins walking through the winter storm is truly beautiful.
The voice cast is great and both Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman perfectly capture the qualities of two of our human stars. Elijah Wood brings lovely innocence to Mumble and the sadly late Brittany Murphy is quite the diva as Gloria, however there are 6 little guys that steal this and that's the Amigos and Lovelace, voiced in part by the great and brilliantly funny Robin Williams.
There's so much humour it doesn't matter how many times I watch it, it still makes me laugh and the music is also a huge part of the movie and all the tracks are well suited and sung beautifully.
A very uplifting movie, Happy Feet warms the heart and may just make you want to sing and dance along!
~~Nikki~~
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davies, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Imelda Staunton, Jason Isaacs, Gary Olman, David Thewlis, Maggie Smith, Richard Griffiths, Emma Thompson, Fiona Shaw
Distributed By: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: July 2007
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There's no denying that this is an awesome movie!
The darkest so far, this film really shows what Harry is up against. Still grief ridden from the events that led to the Dark Lords return, Harry finds himself feeling very alone as he begins his fifth year.
There are some new faces this year as Harry begins to teach his friends how to defend themselves and Luna who is one of my favourite characters is wonderfully portrayed by Evanna Lynch.
It's also lovely to see Harry have some happy moments as he and Cho get closer.
Imelda Staunton absolutely nails her performance as meddling Professor Umbridge and it's so joyful to watch her journey and ultimate downfall! Helena Bonham Carter is also brilliantly intense in her portrayal of Bellatrix Lestrange and Daniel Radcliffe does an amazing job conveying Harry's torment.
The effects throughout are amazing; in particular the duel between Dumbledore and Voldermort which is a truly outstanding scene!
I also love the use of flashbacks which remind us what Harry has been through.
Magical Excellence!
~~Nikki~~
Director: Stephen Sommers
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, Freddie Boath, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr, Alun Armstrong, Shaun Parkes, Patricia Velásquez , Dwayne Johnson, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Distributed By: Universal Pictures
Release Date: May 2001
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I really like this sequel which brings back Evelyn and Rick who are now married with a young son.
This is full of action and adventure as this time round they are facing not only the regenerated mummy Imhotep but also the Scorpion King whose army is set to destroy the world.
There are lots of great scenes in this and the pygmy's really make me laugh as they easily take care of the bad guys!
I love the scenes where Evie experiences her past life with Anck-Su-Namun and both Rachel Weisz and Patricia Velasquez are amazing!
Brendan Fraser is perfect as Rick and this sort of movie really suits him. Oded Fehr has a much bigger part as Ardeth Bay and is definitely someone you would want on your side in a fight! I also really like Alex who is smart, funny and mischievous and is played very well by Freddie Boath.
I must admit I do really feel for Imhotep at the end of this and it's great to see Arnold Vosloo bring him temporarily back to life. A great film that gets better each time I watch it!
~~Nikki~~
Director: Bill Condon
Starring: Kristen
Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Michael Sheen, Jamie Campbell Bower, Christopher Heyerdahl, Billy Burke, Sarah Clarke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser,
Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Julia Jones
Distributed By: Summit Entertainment
Release Date: November 2011
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The last book in the Twilight Saga is my favourite and this movie is a good adaptation.
Of course the focus of this movie is all about Edward finally getting his wish to marry Bella and this is done very well, the whole thing is beautiful and romantic and it's great to see the majority of the cast in the same scenes.
There are lots of funny moments, the speeches are a particular highlight and although Jacob is still very uneasy about the whole situation I love how loyal he is to Bella.
The second half of the film is where things get tense and boy it's tense! Credit definitely has to go to the make-up/CGI departments and Kristen Stewart for making Bella's pregnancy scenes quite harrowing!
A great start that will lead us towards Bella's final journey...
~~Nikki~~
Director: Jason Friedberg
Starring: Jenn Proske, Matt Lanter, Christopher N. Riggi, Ken Jeong, Anneliese van der Pol, Arielle Kebbel
Distributed By: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: August 2010
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As spoof movies go, this is pretty good!
Filled with loads of in-jokes and obvious humour this version of the Twilight world takes the characters we're so familiar with and has lots of fun!
Jenn Proske, Matt Lanter and Christopher N. Riggi all give enjoyable performances as the three lead actors and the references to the vampire genre and other movies in general is entertaining!
I've seen Ken Jeong in a few movies now and there really doesn't seem to be anything that he's afraid to do!!
Good and fun to watch when wanting some light relief from the intense themes in the actual Twilight Saga.
~~Nikki~~
Director: David Slade
Starring:
Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Bryce Dallas Howard, Dakota Fanning, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Xavier Samuel, Jodelle Ferland, Anna Kendrick
Distributed By: Summit Entertainment
Release Date: June 2010
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Things start to get tense in the third movie in the Twilight Saga as Bella finds herself torn between both Edward and Jacob.
This is darker than its predecessors as we see Victoria, this time played by Bryce Dallas Howard creating a vampire army to get to Bella and the Cullen's.
I really like the effects and CGI used throughout the movie and love seeing Jacob's pack in wolf form.
The training sequence and battle are also both impressive, but what I enjoy most about this movie is the little character moments; Charlie and Bella having the "talk" is hilarious and Kellan Lutz really brings out Emmett's friendly big brother personality!
I also like that we get to see Rosalie & Jasper's backstories.
A great addition to the series that begins to countdown towards the end of Bella's normal life...
~~Nikki~~
Director: Chris Weitz
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Rachelle Lefevre, Michael Sheen, Dakota Fanning, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Anna Kendrick, Edi Gathegi
Distributed By: Summit Entertainment
Release Date: November 2009
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There's a lot I like about New Moon.
Although the Cullen's have much less screen time we get more insight into who they are as Edward discovers that having Bella in his life is just too dangerous.
Kristen Stewart portrays Bella's grief perfectly as she strays from her old life and into Jacob's heart.
Taylor Lautner is great throughout and it's easy to see why fans are divided between Jacob and Edward!
My favourite thing about this film is the introduction to the Volturi; Michael Sheen is great as he brings bemused superiority to Aro that leaves me wanting to see more! I also love the scenes with Laurent and Victoria.
Bella hates that fact that she's another year older, but this film pushes the twilight saga into adulthood remarkably well!
~~Nikki~~
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Taylor Lautner, Cam Gigandet
Distributed By: Summit Entertainment
Release Date: November 2008
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As a fan of the Twilight Saga books; I really like this movie adaptation.
The casting is really good and I especially like Billy Burke as Bella's father, Peter Facinelli as Carlisle, Cam Gigandet as James and of course Robert Pattinson as Edward. Credit has to also go to Kristen Stewart for making Bella a slightly awkward and intense teenager.
The movie is very low-key and this adds to its charms, making the fantastical situation seem very normal in the small and fairly quiet town of Forks and the cinematography is beautiful.
Great to watch if you want sweet teen romance and Vampires that sparkle in the sunlight!
~~Nikki~~
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Miranda Richardson, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, Frances de la Tour
Distributed By: Warner Bros.
Release Date: November 2005
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As Harry starts his forth year at Hogwarts things are a little different...
There are lots of additional characters on display what with new teachers and two other schools visiting for the tournament and all of this is handled with care.
There are lots of funny moments as the boys try to find dance partners and survive the Yule Ball and even greater challenges as Harry's friends try to help him through the 3 tasks.
Brendan Gleeson is wonderfully 'mad' as Professor Moody and I really like David Tennant as Barty Crouch Jr. It's also nice to see Hagrid with romance on his mind, however the mood gets shockingly dark once Harry faces the last task and discovers the Dark Lords return!
Robert Pattinson brings heroism and sympathy to Cedric Diggory and Daniel Radcliffe really brings emotion to Harry as he deals with death and betrayal!
Ralph Fiennes shows us why Voldermort is feared as he brings him to life with malice and contempt and this really is the movie that sets the standard for what's to come for Harry, Ron and Hermione!
Brilliant, funny, scary and moving, "Dark and difficult times lie ahead".
~~Nikki~~
Director: Stephen Sommers
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Kevin J. O'Connor, Oded Fehr, Patricia Velásquez
Distributed By: Universal Pictures
Release Date: May 1999
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One of my guilty pleasures; this film is full of action beautifully set in the sands of Egypt.
I love how Rachel Weisz makes Evelyn perfectly British and the chemistry between her and Brendan Fraser's Rick is wonderful and really makes this fun to watch!
John Hannah and Kevin J. O'Connor both provide much of the humour as Jonathon and Beni and Arnold Vosloo does a great job making Imhotep creepy as the Mummy who's out for revenge!
Full of great effects, dialogue and a brilliant cast, this is an adventure to enjoy for all eternity!
~~Nikki~~
Di... read more 
rector: Alfonso Cuarón
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, David Thewlis, Timothy Spall, Julie Christie, Robbie Coltrane, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters, Emma Thompson, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw
Distributed By: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: May 2004
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This is the film that turned me into a Harry Potter fan and convinced me that these stories aren't only aimed at a younger audience!
There's so much I love about this one, including lots of humorous moments as the students begin to experience their teenage years.
This film also starts to bring darker elements into Harry's story as he finds out more about his parents death and there's sadness and joy throughout Harry's third year as he finds new allies and enemies.
The casting of these films goes from strength to strength as we see Alan Rickman, David Thewlis, Gary Oldman and Timothy Spall in the same scenes and Michael Gambon brings his own version of Dumbledore that fits perfectly. Pure movie excellence!
~~Nikki~~
Director: Tarsem Singh
Starring: Henry Cavill, Stephen Dorff, Luke Evans, Isabel Lucas, Kellan Lutz, Freida Pinto, Mickey Rourke
Distributed By: Relativity Media/Universal Pictures
Release Date: November 2011
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I really enjoyed this!
Henry Cavill is very impressive in his leading role as Theseus and Micky Rourke made Hyperion very menacing!
I also really like Joseph Morgan as Lysander and all the cast do well although Stephen Dorff's accent is a little too strong for my liking for a movie of this type!
I especially love all the Gods, particularly Luke Evans as Zeus and always find myself wanting them to have more screen time in every movie about the Greek myths!
Filled with great action sequences and realistic battle scenes this is a film I'll enjoy watching again and again!
~~Nikki~~
Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Kenneth Branagh, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Jason Isaacs, Julie Walters, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw
Distributed By: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: November 2002
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There's a lot to enjoy as Harry returns to Hogwarts for his second year.
I always love the small scenes with the Dursley's and Harry has even more to contend with as he meets the house elf Dobby!
Rupert Grint makes Ron very funny throughout as he shows that he's not quite as brave as Harry but will stick with him regardless! My overall favourite characters in this film however are nasty Lucius Malfoy and narcissistic Professor Lockheart, both wonderfully played by Jason Isaacs and Kenneth Branagh.
The action steps up with this and the scenes in the chamber give the film a mature edge as we see a little of what Harry will be up against in the next few years!
A lovely film that gives a lot of character development to all our favourites and that will also be remembered for Richard Harris's last sensitive and gentle performance as Dumbledore.
~~Nikki~~
Director: Stephen Sommers
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, David Wenham, Will Kemp, Kevin J. O'Connor, Elena Anaya, Shuler Hensley
Distributed By: Universal Pictures
Release Date: May 2004
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Now this is what over the top supernatural fun looks like!!
Hugh Jackman does a great job making Van Helsing believable as he persues all manner of creatures on the behalf of the church. kate Beckinsale kicks ass as a tough hunter trying to save her families honor and there's great supporting casting by David Wenham as the friar Carl who delivers much of the comedy.
Shuler Hensley brings heartfelt emotion into frankenstein as he fights to survive and I really love Elena Anaya as Aleera, one of Dracula's three brides.
The wonderful and talented Richard Roxburgh absolutely steals the movie as Dracula and every scene with him and his three brides is totally captivating.
There's non-stop action and plenty to enjoy about this monster mash up! Perfection!
~~Nikki~~
