Stuck for something to see at the flicks this week? Not too sure if a three hour film about some Hobbit you thought you had left behind in Lord of the Rings is the one for you (no offence but I am kind of anti-fantasty in some respects)? Well Jack Reacher is an easy choice as it combines all the great things that make a good film with one of the great action stars who is now doing a role suited to his age yet still a badass (a short bad ass but a badass none the less).
What a film! Tom Cruise is believable and it has a great action/comedy mix! I really enjoyed trying to figure out who was behind the crimes and it had some great acting to boot! Good casting and a sound storyline.
Plot: The high school friends reunite for a reunion arranged by John, one of the MILF duo. They all meet up to re-live their high school days even though their lives have changed. Oz is a sports presenter with a narcissistic girlfriend, Jim is married to Michelle with a son but experiencing problems in the bedroom and Kevin is happily married and working from home while Finch is a world traveller supposedly. Stifler is the most unchanged of the guys, working as a temp and just wanting his old high school life back. They all find themselves getting into the same old mischief they used to get themselves into but with older heads on their shoulders and realise that even after all this time, their friendship has stood the test of time.
Trailer:
When I saw the poster for the newest and potentially last instalment of American Pie - Reunion, I was so glad to see all the cast back in the game! The first two films are the epitome of my teenage years and were the first films that I watched that had the laughs and the sex that made us all cringe and cry with laughter at the same time. So needless to say, I made my way to the cinema the same weekend it was released and I was impressed.
Firstly the opening scene did not disappoint. You see good old Jim and Michelle not failing to entertain us with their self-penetration antics! I love the song choice of R Kelly - Bump and Grind to set the mood for Jim before his son interrupts with seriously painful repercussions! I felt all the guy's pain in the audience!
This set the bar for the rest of the film. I was pleasantly surprised that throughout I was kept on my toes and laughing. The film is based around the idea of the school reunion set up by John (John Cho) who was one of the original MILF guys who had a thing for Stifler's Mom. I love the fact that even the secondary actor's are from the original cast and even their story lines are taken into consideration, as MILF guy number one was nowhere to be seen as a fight between them was implied.
Jim's Dad is always the highlight of the film with his cringe Father-Son chats but as he is now a widower he is more dependent on Jim but he has to juggle a sexually frustrated wife, a lonely Father and reuniting with his old school friends.
The reunion reminds the guys how much they have all changed and a piece of them wants to go back to their old days. They feel old entering their town and have to face the facts that growing up isn't all it's cracked up to be. They go to a beach party for Jim's neighbour who has a massive crush on him and he is forced to take her home drunk which leads the boys to have a night just like the old days.
This night also brings up Kevin's old feelings for Vicky and makes Oz re-think his relationship with his girlfriend as he sees Heather again. Stifler is still up to his old tricks and is always the life and soul of the party, even if the group tend to make him the outsider.
For me, the best part of the film is Stifler's sophisticated party that was meant to make everyone reminisce about the old days but just shows them how old they all are 13 years on from high school. I like the fact that Stifler's Mom is still hot but this time she has her sights set on Jim's Dad, so some happiness has come from the party.
The film ties up loose ends and reconnects a lot of old story lines which is what makes it a perfect end to the reign of American Pie. You see Stifler stand up for himself and finally be accepted by the group, Jim and Michelle reconnect where it all began, Oz get his girl and Finch come clean and own up to his typical 9-5 life. Most of all, the cherry on top, is when Stifler gets his own back on Finch and the MILF duo reunite!
The film shows you how good friendships will always last and even though you change and things can never be like they were at high school, you can still keep the original bond and be friends until the end.
My view: A good end (if it is even the end, I feel this should be the end as it is tied up nicely) to a brilliant set of teenage comedy films. The characters still have their great chemistry which is what the film thrives on. I would have liked a little bit more involvement from Vicky as she is just left single and not much else is said! I just hope there are no more spin-offs like American Pie - Band Camp as the original cast are what makes these films so successful and entertaining. Leave it to the professionals!
Plot: Two not so likely friends from high school pair up to join to Police. They befriend each other for the benefit of their work and become closer than they ever imagined considering their unsavoury friendship at school. However the two are forced to go undercover at a high school due to their unprofessional behaviour on the job and their youthful appearances. This forces them to re-live high school and track down a drug ring within the school supplying a synthetic drug with severe side effects.
This film, 21 Jump Street 2012 is based on the original Television Series starring Johnny Depp which ran from 1987 to 1991 with a total of 103 episodes. The film follows a similar plot with up to date elements. The two starring actors are perfectly cast to play the popular guy (Jenko) and the nerd (Schmidt). Some may say this film follows a stereotypical framework but it works within the film and it is a common theme within high school situations.
What I love about this adaptation is the genuine chemistry between Hill and Tatum. The snippet at the beginning of the film highlights their disputes but also shows us a brief similarity the boys have, one being popular but not having a chance at college while the other is academic but not having any luck with friends or girls. You see them both have a brief tearful moment which inevitably brings them closer together when they are both reunited as they enrol with the Police.
They are assigned park duty and do their best to arrest drug dealers which leads them facing undercover duty with Captain Dickson due to their behaviour during the 'chase' and their youthful looks. They are considered a joke on the force as Schmidt lacks the balls to shoot and carry out an arrest while Jenko has the tough demeanour but doesn't even know the Miranda rights.
This task takes them back in time, Schmidt is terrified he will have to re-live the torment he suffered at school while Jenko thinks he will breeze through just as he did in the past. There is a mix up and the boys have to take each other's classes. The boys have to try and track down the ring leaders within the school but school since their day has drastically changed and their roles are reversed, causing uneasy tension leading their bond to be questioned.
Some of the funniest scenes come from Hill and Tatum's interactions with each other. The scene in the bathroom where they try not to ingest the drug given to them by Eric, the eco-friendly popular drug dealer, is by far the funniest I have seen in a very long time.
I love the fact that Schmidt gets a taste of the popular life and Jenko gets to make genuine friends and realise he has so much more potential. The film shows how difficult high school can be and how much you can miss out on depending on what route you choose to take. The moral to the story, that Schmidt and Jenko genuinely care and love each other, just like the brother's they are playing for this undercover operation, is heart warming.
My View: This film rivals that of Superbad 2007 and Pineapple Express 2008. It has slapstick humour, laugh out loud moments and a good message behind it all. I was engaged throughout and that is my kind of film! I am a big Jonah Hill fan but I now have a new love for Channing Tatum (not just for his looks, which I have always favoured) as his comedic skills really shone in this film. There are a few twists and a shocker at the end so this should be on your list to watch and it will be on my DVD list to purchase for sure!
This has a very interesting plot about childhood monsters born in our dreams and how these can be hereditary. This sounds like a good horror/thriller to get you shifting nervously in your seat. This may give you a nightmare or two. This is my kind of film and we haven't had a good horror movie for a while so I am looking for a good scare and hope this delivers!
Another film that has caught my eye as a potential hit is The Descendants (15) starring George Clooney. This is a comedy/drama and has had good reviews, especially for Clooney's performance.
He plays a bit of a loser attempting to connect with his daughters as well has learning he has lived within a very failed marriage. He then has to step away from the 'back-up parent' role and face reality after an accident. Interesting storyline and it has various elements that should hopefully keep a wide audience entertained.
Both these films were released on 27th January 2011.
I have a few things to see at the cinema so I need to make my way to see these two very soon! I hope my post can help you choose what film to see next.
Let me know if you see any of these films or the ones I posted about previously in the comment box below!
Plot: Noah is a hapless teenager who is not so lucky with the ladies. He has a bad relationship with his Father who thinks he is a drop out and he left his Mother for Noah's babysitter (cringe!). His Mother persuades him to babysit the neighbours three children so she can have one good night out. He is blissfully unaware of what the night entails for him as he sets out to get drugs for his 'girlfriend' who is obviously using him! He finds out that the three annoying, naughty and totally eccentric children are not too bad and they become his partners in crime (literally).
When I saw this film advertised I was thrilled to see Jonah Hill playing the leading man in this comedy The Sitter. I am a big fan of his work, he is undoubtedly funny, charming and has a very likable quality, even when he is playing a bit of a jerk character (like in Superbad 2007). He can definitely hold a film as this film clearly shows. He manages to make even a serious situation come across as hilarious with a simple look, which shows true comedic acting as he doesn't even have to speak to make you giggle.
This plot is pretty simple, a sitter comes across three reckless children, Slater, Blithe and Rodrigo who attempt to make Noah's night a living hell. They in turn face a sitter who is not what the expect and they all experience a number of crazy events that brings them all a little closer. What is different about this film is the quality of each individual character, especially with the children.
Each child has a quality that makes them annoying but likable all in the same breath. Slater is a hypochondriac who is afraid to be himself; Blithe is obsessed with celebrities, makeup and becoming famous while Rodrigo is adopted and expressing his anger through blowing things up but really just wants to be accepted! The wealth of individuality with each child provides enough engaging elements to keep most audiences entertained.
The night is determined by Noah's apparent girlfriend who persuades him to buy her drugs in return for full on sex and being able to call her his girlfriend. Of course, Noah hesitantly agrees and sets out to meet her needs with some funny and dangerous consequences. He meets Karl who is a slightly camp, over friendly drug dealer who loves Noah's kind eyes and wants to befriend him. This turns sour when Rodrigo decides to steal an egg disguising a large amount of cocaine. Karl then turns nasty and sets out to make Noah repay what he stole.
In the run up to finding Karl's money, Noah is faced by a few unfriendly faces who mess up his night even more but he does end up meeting a girl truly interested in him which is a nice (but optimistic) upside to the film. The twists and random meetings these four face is what will keeping you laughing throughout and I felt my eyes glued to the big screen waiting to see what else was going to happen.
My view: I love Noah's brash attitude and confidence when he gets away with all the mayhem with barely a scratch on him (minus the black eye and a wrecked car). It is funny, thrilling and action-packed! Noah bonds with all the children in different ways and it connects to many different themes, from homosexuality, how adopted children feel in new households to young girls growing up too fast. It has predictable elements but it also has some random twists that are sure to keep you on your toes! At the very least, it makes you LOL (laugh out loud)!
My Rating:7/10
Trailer:
On another note: Jonah Hill has lost some serious weight recently and all I can say is good on him! I think he is funny as the chubby and lovable funny man but losing weight does not mean he will lose his comedic edge! He just looks a little cuter that's all ;) Check out the pics below to see the change!
The series of ‘The Inbetweeners’ first aired in 2008 and introduced us to the four misfits we have come to know and love from series to series. It focuses on a very geeky Will, his three friends and their experiences at school.All of the series have been received very well, winning them the Audience Award at the BATA’s in 2010 and the Best Sitcom award at the BCA’s in 2011.
The movie was long awaited as it a natural development for a series like this, being very popular for relating to its target audience. I was desperate to see this when it came out. I haven’t been an avid watcher of the series but I had seen quite a few episodes and thought the film would be just up my street.
For people who watch the series, some have said there have been episodes that have possibly been funnier than the film. As I cannot judge that as I have not seen every single episode of every series, I can only speak from the viewpoint of the film in its own right.
The film focuses on the four boys making a trip to Malia, Crete. They want to have a memorable summer and show their schoolmates that they can be just as cool as them! They have two things in mind: drinking and getting girls! It was a great marketing choice to release the film just after the summer as everyone came back from party destinations such as Malia, Ibiza, Magaloof and Ayia Napa to be reminded of the fun antics they got up to!
My friend and I watched the film and couldn’t wait to start planning our trip to Ibiza next year as the film got us in the mood to be back on holiday, partying away! The film is hilarious and had us in stitches most of the way through it. The characters are already established thanks to the series but the actors made their mark in the film world and proved they are not just for the small screen.
What I like about this film are the love interests. The girls are perfectly suited to the boys and you are rooting for them to get together. Many have complained that the ending was too much of a happy ending but I think for viewers who empathise with the boys, we want them to be happy and finally get the girl! It’s a nice way for the boys to finally get what they deserve as they are sweet, geeky boys who hardly have any luck so the film wraps up loose ends and actually cuts them a break!
The antics the boys get up to on the first night are totally hilarious, Neil’s moves are hard to resist and adding in the other boys, seriously how do they not get girls? That was definitely my favourite part of the film. It had the whole audience crying with laughter! In the cinema the film was a big hit, everyone laughed in unison at the majority of the jokes, except one guy in front who laughed a few seconds later every time, there’s always one!
The fact is, it captured many people’s holiday experiences, maybe not to such an extreme but it made people feel familiar with the location, situations and characters. The film compliments the series well and it is worth a watch!
My view: Highly recommended. This film is pure comedy and laughs with a hint of romance. What more do you want from a film based on such a successful and established series?
Please leave your feedback on this film or let me know via twitter:@Trishaaa_
'Miranda' is a BBC TV series that aired in 2009. Miranda Hart is the brains behind this hilarious show and I absolutely love her. Since this show first started I have sat down to watch it religiously with my Mum. It literally makes us LOL.
I love her brash attitude towards love and life. The show lets us delve into her chaotic life with all the mishaps along the way. Every show is perfectly executed for full comedic effect and it is truly a brilliant show.
The characters are all so well developed and they explain why Miranda is so unlucky in love as well as quirky. She is too tall, very clumsy and has a childish sense of humour but all this just makes her a loveable character. She is socially awkward, has a crazy Mother (who reminds me of my own...SUCH FUN!) and a love interest that is out of her league.
The set up is based around her home above her joke/gift shop and basically revolves around her finding a man! I love how she looks to the camera for private jokes between the audience and her. Some critics have found her jokes 'obvious' but I couldn't care less. As far as I am concerned she is a comedy genius and I laugh every time she turns to look at the camera, stresses about Gary (the sexy love interest), falls over or sets someone alight! Her jokes are perfectly timed and relatable, its old school comedy and it deserves a comeback.
The other characters such as 'Stevie', her best friend compliment her so well and watching the pair of them makes you want to be friends with Miranda!
I really recommend watching the two series, and let me know your feedback! There are rumours of a third series and the second has just finished airing!
''Four of us wolves, running around the desert together in Las Vegas, looking for strippers and cocaine''
- Alan
''This guy is either gonna think 'Here's another kid with a fake ID' or 'Here's McLovin, a 25 year-old Hawaiian organ donor'.''
- Evan
''It took me like three hours to finish the shading on your upper lip. It's probably the best drawing I've ever done.''
- Napoleon
1. The Hangover (2009)
Original storyline, brilliant the way it back tracks through the night rather than showing us in chronological order. Excellent casting and character development. The wolf pack has been created!
2. Superbad (2007)
This film brought to light the new generation of young comedic actors. Funny as hell storyline and brilliant and relatable characters - the new and improved 'American Pie'. I have watched this so many times but I still find new things to laugh at. McLovin is a G.
3. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Quirky, witty, sarcastic and just weird! It's my kind of humour and the confidence of Napoleon should be injected into every Geek that has ever lived!
4. Get Him to the Greek (2010)
Russell Brand can hold a film. He and Jonah Hill make a good comedy pairing. P.Diddy is suprisingly good - ''I'm mind fucking you right now''.
5. Forgeting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Random choice but I really do enjoy watching Jason Segel. He is the brains behind this film and it really has a charm about it. Russell Brand is an asset to the film and all the characters work well together and have genuine chemistry which provide a good rom com.
6. Pink Panther (2006)
I love the original but Steve Martin does it hilarious justice - the scene with them dressed in disguise as wallpaper never fails to make me cry with laughter.
7. The Man with Two Brains (1983)
If you don't find this the funniest film ever, your a loser. It is outrageous and not physically possible but it is a classic. The scene with the brain and Michael (Martin) on the boat is epic!
8. Happy Gilmore (1996)
Adam Sandler is a genius - enough said! When he loses his temper I burst into histerics!
Seth Rogan has always been a favourite of mine. His pairing with James Franco seemed odd as Franco is best known for his role as Harry in 'Spiderman', generally he is in more serious roles but he has a very funny side to him. He is subtle in his humour. All the characters work well together, I love this generation of comedy.
This will always be the original for teen sex comedies. Jason Biggs relates to so many young and frustrated boys and set the mark for this genre of film.
Last night I finally sat down to watch this black comedy. It never caught my eye when it was released. It is an American remake of the 2007 British version and sticks to the storyline with little change. Funnily enough it has one of the same actors in the remake - Peter Dinklage who plays a vital role in the film. The film is based on a death that brings an estranged family together and naturally chaos occurs.
The storyline is predictable but the delivery of it surprised me. I am not a fan of Chris Rock, I find any serious role he plays to be unbelievable and I have never found his comedy funny and I was not proved wrong in this film. He played Aaron, the son of the man who died and it is his relationship with his brother Ryan, played by Martin Lawrence, which is strained. Lawrence takes the spotlight ironically considering he is the golden child in the film. The idea that death brings a family together tends to lend itself to some truth in many of our lives. It is what people can relate to in the film. Nobody is perfect and it is the scandals and mishaps that bring any family closer.
Peter Dinklage plays the deceased fathers secret mini-lover and bringing him back into the remake provides continuity between the two films which I like. The fact that he is a dwarf enhances the comedy as the father and he are polar opposites. His character is not really developed much in the film which I would have liked, there is no explanation as to why he is looking to bribe the family for £30,000 for intimate pictures of the two lovers and only shows his character to be a low-life and not really a 'lover'.
Overall the film has some funny and unexpected moments and particular actors make it worth watching. It may not be the most original of films but it caters to the modern audiences well. It transcends both British and American humour which can be a difficult task. It's something I've watched once but wouldn’t watch again.
