Bridesmaids

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~~

From Russia With Love

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~~

The Hunt

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~~

Dr. No

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~~
 

Man Of Steel

Director: Zack Snyder

Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe, Lawrence Fishburn, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Ayelet Zurer, Antje Traue, Christopher Meloni

Distributed By: Warner Bros. Pictures

Release Date: June 2013

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No matter how familiar I am with Superman's story, each incarnation continues to impress and flesh out who he is and what he means to us.
What I particularly like about this version is that we get to linger on Krypton; of course we know that the planets hours are definitely numbered but here we get to see what they are like as a race. Zack Snyder and his writers do a great job of making their civilisation intelligent and with a definite sense of their own importance as most fail to realise their way of life is at an end.
Russell Crowe plays Jor-El and I really like his performance and was pleased he was in a great deal of the movie, he and wife Lara played by Ayelet Zurer embody all that is good about Krypton which shows us why their son will be a hero.
There are some brilliant ideas throughout the Krypton scenes, in particular the moving computer/intercom that helps Jor-El and also the 'nursery' which is very interesting!
My favourite baddie General Zod is wonderfully played by Michael Shannon and we get to see why he and some select others escape Krypton's fate.
Henry Cavill dons the red cape this time around and proves that he can take on this role with the perfect amount of vigour and charm, but I like that the first we see of him is as a roughed up sailor. There are lots of flashbacks which give glimpses as to why he's hiding in plain sight and all the familiar stories are there.
Diane Lane and Kevin Costner both give lovely understated performances as Clark's parents Martha and Jonathon and again shows us why Clark is a force for good.
I really like Lois in this version, who is not content with getting a story by easy means and I love the way she meets Superman for the first time which definitely explains her infatuation!
Lawrence Fishburn brings a fatherly quality to the Daily Planet Editor in Chief Perry White and I also really like Christopher Meloni's performance as Colonel Hardy.
Zod's accomplice Faora is very intriguing; played by Antje Traue, she doesn't say a great deal but absolutely kicks ass and is very menacing, she and Michael Shannon's Zod are a great double act against Superman and both actors seem to relish their roles!
I'm not sure if I've ever seen more action in a Superman movie to date and at certain points it's a wonder that the Earth can survive the onslaught of the various battles throughout!
My absolute favourite scene is as the world engine starts terraforming the earth, which has truly amazing effects and sound and gives us the touching CGI moment as Christopher Reeves face is merged with that of Henry Cavill.
Two and a half hours literally flies by as every scene is played out to a wonderfully rousing score by Hans Zimmer which gives its own unique feel for a much loved group of characters for a new generation.
This movie was worth the wait and I'm very excited about a sequel!
~~Nikki~~

Paul

Directed By: Greg Mottola

Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Jason Bateman, Bill Hader, Blythe Danner, Joe Lo Trugliou, Sigourney Weaver

Distributed By: Universal Pictures

Release Date: February 2011

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Paul is an alien who definitely doesn't mince his words and the result is very funny!
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are great as Graeme and Clive, two British self-confessed sci-fi geeks who embark on a road trip through the U.S. to visit San Diego's Comic-Con.
Along the way they run into Paul, wonderfully voiced by Seth Rogen.
I love the look of Paul, his eyes carry such emotion and I simply can't stop staring at him every time he's on screen.
Kristen Wiig joins the trio as Ruth who's been raised to be a very strict Christian girl and she's very funny as Paul helps her realize what she's been missing out on. She and Simon Pegg have great chemistry and I love that Nick Frost's Clive seems almost childishly jealous at their sudden relationship.
Jason Bateman's Agent Zoil is on their trail and will stop at nothing to catch them and Blythe Danner gives a sensitive performance as Tara a woman whose life has been ridiculed through her encounter with Paul many years ago.
Sigourney Weaver delights as her bitchy character known simply as Big Guy confronts Paul and for those of us that have enjoyed many of her sci-fi roles in the past this is a sweet cameo!
Funny and full of pop culture references that sci-fi fans will love; this movie shows us that we aren't alone in the universe and that 'they' aren't too different from us after all!
~~Nikki~~

Mrs. Brown

Directed By : John Madden

Starring: Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Geoffrey Palmer, Antony Sher, David Westhead, Gerard Butler, Richard Pasco

Distributed By: Buena Vista International/Miramax

Release Date: July 1997

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This wonderful movie tells of Queen Victoria's reclusiveness after the death of her beloved consort Prince Albert.
Judi Dench is superb and brings such depth to Victoria who is stern and somewhat distant but there is fragility in her heart and a longing to regain the type of companionship that she has lost and this is displayed in beautiful fleeting moments throughout the movie.
Billy Connolly is absolutely remarkable as John Brown.
I love that he treats Victoria as an absolute equal! He's brash and makes mistakes but the connection and friendship that blossoms between them is quite lovely, even when they are at odds with each other.
Gerard Butler gives a very good performance as John's younger brother and the two actors share great chemistry. Geoffrey Palmer is excellent as Henry Ponsonby and I also really like Antony Sher as Prime Minister Desraeli.
Credit also goes to David Westhead who makes Victoria's son Bertie seem quite arrogant but also brings across the need for some sort of display of love and compassion from his bereaved Mother.
The scenery throughout is beautiful and each actor contributes greatly in making this a heartfelt story about loss and service to your country.
Although the story itself is sombre there are some lovely moments of humour mixed in and this film really gives a glimpse of what this period of history must have been like and how love and grief affect us all regardless of status and that friendship and time really can help to mend a broken heart!
~~Nikki~~

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Director: John Madden

Starring: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Dev Patel

Distributed By: 20th Century Fox/Fox Searchlight

Release Date: February 2012

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Easily one of my favourite movies of 2012, a superb cast cosy up to the idea that retiring in Britain isn't all it’s cracked up to be and decide to head for sunnier climes in India.
I love the small scenes as we first meet the ensemble cast and see their reasons for making this life-changing decision.
Each character is very different and Judi Dench's character Evelyn lets the audience experience what she is seeing; a noisy, vibrant, beautiful and somewhat crazy city that will test them all in various ways, the film also looks gorgeous and the dialogue sparkles as the characters start to get to know each other.
Judi Dench is wonderful and plays Evelyn with charming subtlety whilst Celia Imrie's Madge is straight to the point and has some very funny lines, as does Ronald Pickup's Norman.
Maggie Smith's Muriel is quite hilarious as she displays a complete fish out of water persona and I love her scenes with Seema Azmi's Anokhi, the maid she befriends.
Penelope Wilton is very good at making Jean annoyingly stuffy, but I love the contrast in her relationship with long suffering husband Douglas, who is such a nice and optimistic guy, brilliantly performed by Bill Nighy in one of my favourite film roles for him to date.
Tom Wilkinson also gives a lovely performance as Graham which is quite touching.
Dev Patel is truly brilliant as Sonny as he 'sells' the hotel for all its worth and you can't help but be swept up by his enthusiasm and charm. I also really like Tena Desae as Sonny's girlfriend Sunaina and his Mother played by Lillete Dubey.
Not only is this a sweet, funny and moving film with an amazing cast, it's the wonderful script that completely drew me in and it really is a pleasure to spend 2 hours watching these characters and experience a small piece of India just for yourself.
Beautiful, inspiring and heartfelt, watch this to lift your spirits and sooth your soul.
~~Nikki~~

Enchanted

Director: Kevin Lima

Starring: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Idina Menzel, Rachel Covey, Timothy Spall, Susan Sarandon

Distributed By: Walt Disney Pictures

Release Date: October/November 2007

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This brings all the optimistic and enthusiastic qualities inherent in Disney's many animated movies to infuse the live-action beautifully!
It's lovely to see the animation at the beginning and it all feels like very familiar territory, but as Giselle enters our world the fun really begins.
Amy Adams is truly a joy to watch as she plays the perfect princess complete with a huge billowy dress, also her ability to create new outfits takes some beating!
I love her honesty and absolute belief in true love as she discovers that our world is a much more cynical place!
Patrick Dempsey is really likable as Robert as he tries to figure out whether Giselle is who she claims to be and the scenes with Giselle and Robert's daughter are fun to watch.
My favourite scene is as Giselle uses her charming singing voice to entice the wildlife to lend a helping hand - New York style! I also love the street parade as Giselle sings "That's How You Know" which is beautiful and memorable.
James Marsden almost steals the film from Amy with his larger than life performance as Prince Edward; he really looks the part and brings such enthusiasm to every scene!
Timothy Spall makes Nathaniel wonderfully inept as he tries to carry out the Evil Queen's wishes and Pip is quite adorable, even though he can't say much!
Susan Sarandon brings malice into Queen Narissa's heart and her scenes are infused with contempt for the lover's fate and the world in general, she looks amazing and her transformation is pretty cool too!
There are some lovely songs throughout and the story is uplifting and romantic and many of the Disney Princesses traits can be glimpsed in Amy Adams' performance.
This is ultimately a movie that makes you smile and warms the heart!
~~Nikki~~

Life of Pi

Director: Ang Lee

Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irfan Khan, Ayush Tandon, Adil Hussain, Tabu, Rafe Spall, Gérard Depardieu

Distributed By: 20th Century Fox

Release Date: November/December 2012

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This is quite simply one of the most moving and beautiful stories I have ever read and it is lovingly translated onto the big screen with the utmost respect of the source material.
Ang Lee infuses Yann Martel's fascinating and intriguing story with absolute care and attention to detail.
The whole thing looks gorgeous, even the opening scenes in the Zoo are exquisite!
Irfan Khan is brilliant as the adult Pi and I really like that we get to see him retelling his amazing story to Rafe Spall's writer and their scenes together are subtle yet meaningful.
The first section of the story is set in the vibrant and bustling Indian town of Pondicherry and you really get a sense of Pi's life as he deals with an unfortunate version of his name at school and his quest to find his purpose in life.
Ayush Tandon's portrayal of Pi is a joy to watch as he displays the makings of a smart and confident boy. I also really like Adil Hussain and Tabu as Pi's parents.
The religious themes in the book are full of warmth and this too is translated really well, as Pi ponders the meaning of spirituality.
The first proper scene with Richard Parker is just what I was waiting for; a wonderful and powerful scene that is quickly dealt with, but lingers in the mind.
As Pi's parents decide to move to pastures new, I felt a pang of emotion for what Pi is leaving behind and this is one of the achievements of the film; every scene is filled with emotion, every character is clearly defined and grabs hold of your own emotions.
I saw this in 3D and it is truly mesmerising! The sea comes to life as storms rage and the Tsimtsum sinks and Pi's life is forever changed.
Each scene on the Pacific is truly breathtaking and as Pi gets accustomed to living on a lifeboat many of his scenes are quite heartbreaking!
Four dangerous animals on a lifeboat is an amazing concept and the book goes into quite horrific and accurate detail of just how they define the social hierarchy and I'm quite glad that these scenes are swift and mostly gore-free so as not to spoil the magical tone of this beautiful visual experience.
Suraj Sharma is absolutely amazing as the sixteen year old Pi, who is faced with sharing a lifeboat with a Bengal Tiger and this is the true heart of the film.
Whether you're an animal lover or not, Richard Parker comes to life majestically and is so well done that I totally forgot that this is CGI work! Richard Parker simply becomes real and his and Pi's relationship and dependence on each other is a beautiful and inspiring thing to watch. So many scenes moved me to tears and I particularly love that this is exactly how Irfan Khan reacts as Pi remembers how he and Richard Parker part ways.
The second story is a scene of much contention in the book, but I'm glad they used it here; it makes the whole thing more intriguing.
For me, when watching this, I am on that boat with Pi and Richard Parker and Ang Lee, along with his cast and crew do it justice.
It's so satisfying when a book you love becomes a visual experience that fills your heart.
Mychael Danna's score is also hauntingly beautiful!
Life of Pi is a truly amazing and uplifting story in all sorts of ways; watch it and experience the wonder!!
~~Nikki~~

Trailers, Teasers & Talent...

I'm currently addicted to the following movie related goodness...

Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts look set to stir powerful emotions in The Impossible...

Anthony Hopkins is ready to thrill in Hitchcock with Helen Mirren and Scarlett Johansson...

April 2013 is bringing dark days for Tony Stark in Iron Man 3...

And Star Trek Into Darkness is definitely teasing me...

I also can't wait to fall into the world of Oz: The Great and Powerful...

Moments in between movies...
~~Nikki~~

Time Is Relative...

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”

- Gandalf - The Fellowship of the Ring: The Lord of the Rings

I don’t generally mind how critics review movies, this is after all, a country that has free speech but some things really baffle me!!

 

 

I have heard many people say over the years that too many characters and scenes were left out of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy despite its tremendous running time, even with the knowledge that Peter Jackson still had to edit and cut his final versions because cinema goers would not sit through more than 3 hours!
There's also the so-called multiple endings argument; despite the fact that the movie exactly follows how The Return of the King ends in the book and in my opinion these characters definitely deserve a fond farewell.

As everyone is now aware The Hobbit has become 3 films and is truly faithful to the book and is probably how Tolkien himself would have envisioned this movie adaptation and yet people are still not satisfied...

I truly believe if you love movies and view them in the way the directors, writers and actors intended them to be filmed why constantly go on and on about the running length?
Is there really something else you’d rather be doing with your time?

 

For me cinema is an escape from our often discouraging world where we get to immerse ourselves in the fantastical and magical world of entertainment and directors like Peter Jackson are pushing the boundaries of our cinematic experience.

Life is too short to be cynical and constantly underwhelmed and I for one intend to enjoy every cinematic moment the world has to offer me.

There will be, of course, some movies that I might not enjoy as much as others and everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but in this country it's almost as if it's more appropriate for people to be negative, like it isn’t a big deal for a big shot director to spend months doing something he/she really cares about only to have it ripped apart by every critic because it’s 'their job' to be cynical?!

My opinions count for very little in the grand scheme of things but if I ever had the opportunity to let Peter Jackson know what his movies mean to me, I would tell him how his versions of Tolkien's wonderful stories has changed me and has given me such hope and enjoyment and that every minute he spent in the world of Middle Earth is a moment that I cherish!

We are living in one of the best times for cinematic achievement, lets enjoy these moments and be thankful for the people that have the courage and vision to give us movies that change our world!
~~Nikki~~

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Director: Peter Jackson

Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchette, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee, Sylvester McCoy, Ian Holm, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Lee Pace, Richard Armitage, Graham McTavish, Ken Stott, Aidan Turner, Dean O'Gorman, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Peter Hambleton,William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Barry Humphries, Manu Bennett

Distributed By: Warner Bros. Pictures

Release Date: December 2012

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It's hard to believe that 11 years have passed since The Lord of the Rings first graced our screens and one of the things I love most about this film is that it's a seamless transition back into the world of Middle Earth.
Peter Jackson shows us once again that his vision from page to screen is crafted with absolute love and care and I love that he links up to The Fellowship of the Ring by revisiting Ian Holm's Bilbo and Elijah Wood's Frodo and both actors are a joy to watch.
Ian McKellen simply is Gandalf and it feels like watching an old friend on the screen as he brings kind authority to this wonderful character.
Martin Freeman is the perfect choice for Bilbo and does a great job conveying a range of emotions as he suddenly deals with a noisy and hungry group of Dwarves in his home and considering there are so many characters in one place these scenes are very well shot and well performed by all.
The group of Dwarves are a mixture of wonderful and colourful characters and I particularly like James Nesbitt as Bofur, Ken Stott as Balin, Aidan Turner as Kili and Dean O'Gorman as Fili, whilst Richard Armitage brings a brilliant moody and serious tone to Thorin.
Lee Pace looks wonderful as the Elvenking Thranduil and I am looking forward to much more with him and the Elves of Mirkwood.
I am so very happy that the character Radagast is given an extended role and Sylvester McCoy perfectly captures his eccentricities with a wonderful performance and all the scenes with him and his forest friends are enchanting.
Galadriel is also given extended scenes and beautiful Cate Blanchette makes her elegant and wise, bringing a charmingly subtle performance to light up the screen.
It's also lovely to see the return of Hugo Weaving as Elrond and Christopher Lee as Saruman. The Rivendell sets are particularly beautiful and I love Bilbo's wonder as he sees it for the first time.
Gollum is one of my favourite characters and Andy Serkis is paramount in making his scenes so memorable and enjoyable and as 'Riddles in the Dark' is my favourite chapter in the book I was eagerly waiting for this scene on film and it doesn't disappoint.
Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis are both wonderful as they try to outsmart each other and the use of motion capture for Gollum is once again breathtaking as his emotions flit from childlike innocence to that of a snarling creature in the blink of an eye and I especially love that we get to see Bilbo's pity for Gollum as mentioned by Gandalf way back in The Fellowship of the Ring.
The many Orcs throughout are impressive; especially Azog who is very menacing and quite creepy as he pursues Thorin and the brief glimpses of Smaug the Dragon are intriguing and I can't wait to see him in greater detail!!
Every scene is enjoyable and this movie brings back the feelings of wonder that I felt when seeing The Fellowship of the Ring for the first time!
The scenery, sets, and music are all integral pieces that help to make this movie look and feel beautifully epic and I am so looking forward to the next two instalments!
Wonderful and inspiring; I will happily lose myself in the world of Middle Earth and feel the magic and wonder of it all again and again!
~~Nikki~~

Tron Legacy

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, Michael Sheen, James Frain, Beau Garrett

Distributed By: Walt Disney Pictures

Release Date: December 2010

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Having never seen the original Tron movie, I didn't really know what to expect with this and I was really surprised by how much I like it.
This movie sees Sam Flynn as a wayward teenager rebelling against life, ignoring the company that his Father Kevin helped create due to the worldwide success of his arcade game Tron.
As Sam discovers what actually happened to his Father all those years ago he has to fight for both their lives and help Quorra escape the evil clutches of Clu and visually this is beautiful to watch.
Once Sam is in the game, everything takes on intense vibrant tones. The suits that all of the characters wear are strikingly beautiful and the actual battles are pure enjoyment.
I think it's really clever that they used a digital image for Clu as a younger version of Jeff Bridges and I like that you get to see how he was created.
Garrett Hedlund is brilliant as Sam who is literally thrown into this world and barely has time to take a breath and I really like Jeff Bridges  as Kevin Flynn and I love that he's trying to remove himself by becoming Zen-like. His home is also visually stunning with the antique furniture that counteracts the pure futuristic look of the world he inhabits.
Olivia Wilde's Quorra is my favourite character and she brings an effortless charm to her scenes as she helps Sam understand what her world is like.
Michael Sheen also gives a larger than life performance as Zues that is guaranteed to be remembered and the musical score performed by Daft Punk is beautifully rousing and matches the visuals.
Creative, stylish and clever, I'm definitely up for more of this!
~~Nikki~~

The Amazing Spider-Man

Director: Marc Webb

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Sally Field, Martin Sheen, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan

Distributed By: Columbia Pictures

Release Date: June/July 2012

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This new take on the life of Peter Parker and his alter-ego Spider-Man sees Andrew Garfield play the shy, intelligent teenager who gets bitten.
I'm a big fan of the original movies and Tobey Maguire's performance but this is also very enjoyable and has a more dramatic tone and it's nice to get some back story on what happened to Peter's parents and I really like Sally Field and Martin Sheen as his Aunt and Uncle.
I did miss the amount of humour that I had come to expect with these movies, but there are some really funny scenes notably when Peter displays some spider-like qualities on the train and as long-time cameo star Stan Lee is oblivious to the battle going on behind him in the library!!
Andrew Garfield is very good as he deals with being the favourite target of school bully Flash Thompson and his first few scenes with Emma Stone's Gwen Stacey are brilliantly awkward as he tries to get a date.
Emma Stone gives a lovely performance as Gwen and I like that she finds out about Peter's secret identity and is totally cool with it almost instantly.
Denis Leary is also great as Gwen's Father and their family dinner is a particularly enjoyable scene and he really shows his courage in the final battle.
Rhys Ifans brings likable and sympathetic qualities to Curt Connors and I can't help feeling sorry for him as he becomes a victim of his own scientific experiments.
There are plenty of great action scenes and it's quite touching when the construction workers decide to lend Spider-Man a helping hand.
I also love the final scene between Peter and Gwen and the teaser that hints at more to come.
Spider-Man is back!
~~Nikki~~

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2

Director: Bill Condon

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Ashley Green, Jackson Rathbone, Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed, Billy Burke, Mackenzie Foy, Michael Sheen, Dakota Fanning, Cameron Bright, Mía Maestro, Casey LaBow, Lee Pace, Judith Shekoni, Jamie Campbell Bower, Christopher Heyerdahl, Maggie Grace

Distributed By: Summit Entertainment

Release Date: November 2012

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The Twilight Saga comes to a fitting close as Bella finally becomes the Vampire that she's longed to be and it's filled with some really cool moments as Bella proves she's now a force to be reckoned with.
There are many humorous moments throughout; particularly between Kristen Stewart's Bella and Taylor Lautner's Jacob who have a very different relationship now and it's nice to see the mutual respect that is growing between Jacob and Robert Pattinson's Edward.
The cast list for this instalment is impressive and almost makes me miss the intimate familiarity of Bella, Edward, Jacob and the rest of the Cullen's but with so many new Vampires on the scene, this movie does well at giving time to each group as they decide which side they are going to be on and I particularly like Casey LaBow as Kate, Lee Pace as Garrett & Judith Shekoni as Zafrina.
I love the fact that Renesmee grows so quickly and young actress Mackenzie Foy portrays her really well and I really like Kristen Stewart's scenes with her.
Billy Burke gives a lovely performance as Charlie, although I would've liked him to have more screen time and the scene as Jacob reveals his true nature to Charlie has to be one of the Saga's funniest moments!
It's great seeing Michael Sheen's Aro back again as he delights in tormenting the Cullen's in his quest to control them and gives a memorable performance.
The battle is brilliantly filmed and has some shocking moments for long-time fans that keeps the suspense going right till the end and once again I love all the CGI scenes with the Wolves.
One of the most beautiful scenes is Bella sharing her memories with Edward which shows just how far these films have come.
The ending is slightly teasing, but for me this film wraps up a compelling journey about teenage love with a supernatural twist in a small sleepy town called Forks.
~~Nikki~~

Hollywoodland

Director: Allen Coulter

Starring: Adrien Brody, Ben Affleck, Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins, Robin Tunney, Molly Parker, Kathleen Robertson, Caroline Dhavernas

Distributed By: Focus Features/Buena Vista International & Miramax Films

Release Date: September 2006

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This is a really good thriller based upon the actual events surrounding actor George Reeves's path to fame as he becomes the first incarnation of Superman on the small screen and tries to shed light on his untimely, mysterious death just a few years later.
Ben Affleck is very good as George and gives him likable and charming qualities throughout that make it easy to see why he found fame, even though it's his death that is at the heart of this story.
The sequence as the studio film him flying is particularly enjoyable as is the scene with the boy scouts discovering their hero in the diner.
Adrien Brody is absolutely excellent as Louis, the small time detective trying to figure out what really happened and he gives a very powerful performance; his scenes with his young son are also very realistic.
With touches of C.S.I. circa 1950 the three scenarios of how George's death may have come about are compelling and each show the various people in his life to have their own agenda.
Diane Lane is a joy to watch as she brings charm and sophistication to Toni and her argument with George regarding Leonore is brilliant and shows that she's not quite as innocent and demure as she seems!
I also really like Bob Hoskins as Toni's husband Eddie and the scene with the two of them and their significant others sharing a meal is both strange and sweetly amusing!
Toni's relationship with Eddie is sensitively played out and you really get a sense of their somewhat reserved love and ultimate respect for each other, despite their marital indiscretions.
Robin Tunney makes Leonore tough and very witty and it's hard to feel any sympathy towards her as she briskly deals with everyone in her life including George.
The 1950's setting is quite beautiful and the tone and pace of the movie drifts along nicely, almost contradicting the sadness that surrounds George's intriguing and dramatic fate.
A lovely movie that ensures George Reeves will not be forgotten!
~~Nikki~~

Shame

Director: Steve McQueen

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale, Nicole Beharie

Distributed By: Momentum Pictures/Fox Searchlight Pictures

Release Date: January 2012

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This is utterly heartbreaking and is one of the most compelling movies I've ever seen!
The characters who all seem to be damaged in some way have a soft vulnerability about them and often the most powerful scenes are those in which the actors simply exchange a glance.
The sadness that resides in both Michael Fassbender's Brandon and Carey Mulligan's Sissy is almost tangible and both actors give powerful performances and that doesn't even seem a big enough word to describe their scenes together!
Many of the scenes are filmed in real time and this gives an intense edge to the already raw subject matter.
Carey Mulligan brings a delicate quality to Sissy who is loud and laughing on the outside and quite empty on the inside and her rendition of New York, New York is beautifully moving.
Michael Fassbender brings such depth of emotion to Brandon as he tries to both hide and face up to his addiction and everyone's reaction towards it; he truly is an impressive actor who isn't afraid to bare all!
I also really like Nicole Beharie's performance as Marianne.
Intense, moving and very honest, this movie proudly displays a side of human nature that is usually hidden and makes you care so deeply for these characters and their troubles.
An incredible movie that will stay with me for a long time!
~~Nikki~~

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Director: Henry Selick

Starring: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Ken Page, Ed Ivory, Paul Reubens

Distributed By: Touchstone Pictures/Walt Disney Pictures

Release Date: October 1993

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A wonderful example of stop-motion animation, this is really beautiful to watch.
Jack Skellington is a truly brilliant character who decides to see what the other holiday towns are about and inadvertently causes calamity in Christmas Town.
Jack's lonely admirer Sally, sweetly voiced by Catherine O'Hara realises Jack's mistake and the two characters band together to save "Sandy Claws" before it's too late.
There are so many creepy characters to enjoy and both Halloween Town and Christmas Town have some enchanting visual moments on offer.
The soundtrack by the wonderful composer Danny Elfman is beautifully atmospheric and he also lovingly lends his voice to Jack's many musical numbers which is a bit of casting genius as he helps to ensure Jack steals the movie and will be forever remembered as it's almost impossible not to sing along!
Filled with Tim Burton's sense of style and unique imaginings, this is a truly inspired movie that brings Halloween and Christmas together for all to enjoy!
~~Nikki~~

Addams Family Values

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Starring: Raúl Juliá, Anjelica Houston, Christopher Lloyd, Joan Cusack, Christina Ricci, Carol Kane, Jimmy Workman, Carel Struycken, David Krumholtz, Peter MacNicol, Christine Baranski, Mercedes McNab

Distributed By: Paramount Pictures

Release Date: November 1993

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My favourite of the Addams Family movies, this is filled with dark Gothic humour and a wonderful cast.
Anjelica Houston dazzles as Morticia and continues to make her graceful and witty.
Raúl Juliá is absolute perfection and gives my favourite performance of Gomez on screen and it's such a shame that he died shortly after making this movie.
Christina Ricci excels as Wednesday and has many of the best lines and is great fun to watch during all the summer camp scenes. I also love the over the top sugariness of Christine Baranski and Peter MacNicol as the two camp leaders.
Christopher Lloyd makes Uncle Fester lovable and I particularly enjoy his scenes opposite Raúl Juliá's Gomez, but the star of this movie is the lovely Joan Cusack who brings charm and charisma to Debbie as she tries to find a place in Fester's heart and is wonderfully funny as she tries to bump him off in various ways.
Full of Gothic exuberance, this movie gives us the perfect version of the creepy and kooky Addams Family to date.
~~Nikki~~