The Fault in Our Stars

If you’re looking for a great film to catch right now, then look no further then the brilliant The Fault in Our Stars, but be warned, you will need tissues to get through this one.

Directed by Josh Boone, TFIOS is a shows a realistic portrayal of cancer, for a film, that essentially is not about cancer, but the love two teenagers share. Boone, has taken what is a brilliant novel, by John Green, and has made it into a brilliant and gritty must see film, an extraordinary feet. With a massive fan base around the book, this film needed to be made well, and it has, boosting its popularity.

The film deals with the perils of cancer, in what can only be described as a realistic way. It shows the hardships, the pain and the suffering, without being afraid to honestly portray these scenes. At the same time, the film has a complex narrative, with a strong romantic plot.

The film, like the book, takes a first person perspective, and is narrated and told through the eyes of Hazel, a 17 year old girl with lung cancer, and how she falls madly in love with the charming, and complex Augustus Waters. this film steers well clear of sappy, over the top teenage romances that so many films do these days, and shows a more mature, raw love, that will move audiences.

The actors in TFIOS should be commended. Both Shailene Woodley, and Ansel Elgort shine on screen, together and separately. There is strong chemistry between these two actors, and they seem comfortable around each other. With this film, their careers are set to take off.

While the film is brilliant, it does skim over some of the plot point addressed in the novel, however, this is not a flaw, the film is able to hold on its own, and will keep audiences hooked.

The Fault in Our Stars, is a wonderfully realistic film of first love, hardships and moving on. Tears are assured. 8/10.

The Vow

“Life’s all about moments, of impact and how they changes our lives forever. But what if one day you could no longer remember any of them?” This quote from Leo, the male protagonist of The Vow, sums up the film well.

The Vow, tells the story of Paige and Leo, a couple madly in love with a deep connection. Tragedy strikes, when Paige is seriously injured in a car crash, wiping away the last 5 years of her life, leaving her with severe memory loss, and no idea that Leo is the love of her life.

Based loosely on a true story, the audience immediately looks to feel sympathy with Leo, the male protagonist, and as expected, we connect easily with him. It is hard to imagine how it must feel, when the one person you truly love, does not remember you, and more significantly does not love you. Channing Tatum surprised me in this role, and was able to bring the character to life in all the right ways.

Other than Tatum, the cast has been chosen well. The beautiful Rachel McAdams, is perfect as Paige, and brings depth and emotion to the character, something that is needed for such a serious story line. Sam Neill arguably best known from Jurassic Park is well suited to Paige’s strict, stubborn father.

As the movie progresses, Paige lapses back into her old life, of country clubs, money and her ex fiancée. All the while, her family fail to tell her why it is she has not talked to them in 5 years.

The Vow is a romantic film, that unlike some today is charming. The acting is good and the story line is well portrayed. Grab a box of tissues, you’ll need them. 8/10.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

What happens when a shy day dreamer, embarks on a world-wide quest for adventure? You get a film like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. The film has received mixed reviews, with some calling in boring and complicated, but in my opinion, it is an example of story and cinematography working well together, to produce an enjoyable film.

Ben Stiller, directs and stars in this remake of the 1947 film, and in accordance with the 21st century, features online dating, and even the impending doom of Walter’s company Life magazine following the trend and going online. Walter, is entrusted with producing a picture, which will feature as the last cover on the magazine, when the picture is missing however, he embarks on a world-wide adventure, to find it.

Some have described this film as boring, and too slow, but in my opinion the story moves at the right pace. While it is a times complicated, it has been weaved together so well that the audience is constantly on the edge of their seat.

The cinematography is outstanding, and Ben Stiller should be commended on the quality and effectiveness that this brings to the plot.

Walter may be a little strange, but this film teaches us to dare to dream. A well deserved 8/10.

About Time

About Time, is a charming and funny film, that must be added to any romantic’s list. With a stellar cast, and well written story, About Time is a film that gets it right.

About Time tells the story of Tim, a young man, who on his 21st birthday, discovers he can travel back in time by going into a small, dark space and clenching his fists. After using the gift, for many trivial matters, Tim eventually finds a greater calling, to change the past for the better.

The first thing to note about this film, is that there is no sense of awkwardness that you would come to expect from other time travel films. Unlike The Time Travellers Wife, Tim has the ability to control his time travel, and does so, without the knowledge of those around him.

The cast for this film, could not have been picked more perfectly. Bill Nighy, as always is great in his role, but it is newcomer Domhnall Gleeson, that truly shines on-screen. He is perfect for the lanky out of luck man he plays, and his comedic timing is perfect. Not only that, but his range of emotions is very believable. Rachel McAdams, is perfect as his opposite, and true love Mary, who is plays a role different to any she has before. It is nice to see her has a plain simple girl, with a quirky sense of fashion and insecurities, in fact, it is one of the few films, that features, what many would consider ‘real people’. The lead characters, are not in fact incredibly gorgeous. They are more charming, and represent your everyday person.

Of course, the movie does come with flaws, and if you have not yet seen this film, I advise you not to ready on. When Tim first learns that he can travel in time, his dad explains that there are 3 simple rules.

1. Only men can travel back in time

2.You can only travel back in time, not forwards

3. You can only travel to moments in time where you a present.

These rules are broken several times in the film, particularly when Tim, takes his sister back in time, to fix her life, after a car crash. Nowhere, does it state that you can travel back in time with someone else. Subsequently, this leads Tim to change the future, thus changing his much-loved daughter Posey, to a boy, meaning Tim travels back again, so that his sister is once again in a car crash. It is then explained that one cannot travel back in time before a child’s birth, as the events that lead to the birth, lead to the child. This seems to be ignored when both Tim and his father travel back in time to relive a childhood memory of Tim’s, but this does not change the birth of his children. It is for these minor flaws, that mean that the film is not perfect.

Regardless if this, About Time, is a great romantic comedy, and for this, I give it an 8/10.

Warm Bodies

Warm Bodies, is a surprisingly delightful comedy, with a good story line, and well though out jokes. In an age where vampires, werewolves, witches, and zombies are a big craze, it is nice to see an orginal take on zombies, and even nicer to see a movie get it so right.

Warm Bodies, directed by Jonathan Levine, is the story of an unlikely romance between zombie R, and human Julie. Nicholas Hoult, does a great job of portraying R, and despite the lack of dialogue, he is still able to make the audience connect with his character. Teressa Palmer also does a good job, playing the guarded Julie, a human who fears zombies, but soon realises that there is more to them, then she has been led to believe.

At first glance, the resemblance between Julie, and Bella from the Twilight series is striking, in fact, Julie, looks like a blonde version of Bella, but that is where the similarities end. What Twilight lacks in an engaging story line, Warm Bodies makes up for. In fact, the muttered conversations of the zombies, are far more interesting than some of the lines from the vampire movies. Warm Bodies, has played with what it means to be a zombie, and R, does not try to hide that he is one.

It is great to see, R’s development throughout the film. How he slowly, gets back his humanity, becomes more human.

The apocalyptic world has been created perfectly. The zombies, look real, but not exaggerated, and the ‘bonies’, zombies who are not conflicted about killing humans, are hauntingly frightening. Credit, should be taken, for the fantastic makeup job, allowing the character, although dead, to come to life.

Warm Bodies is a movie I strongly recommend. It has a strong storyline, believable characters, and engages the audience from start to finish. A deserving 8/10.

Paranorman

With the school holidays at an end, families flocked to the cinemas to keep their kids entertained. A movie that must be added to the ‘to see list’ is Paranorman.

Paranorman tells the story of eleven year old Norman, who is a little strange… a little different, he sees ghosts. Norman’s supernatural ability has had the tendency to get him in trouble, especially with his dad. Norman after all, speaks to his grandmother… his dead grandmother. Norman’s ability however, soon becomes the only hope for the small town he lives in, doomed by an ancient witches curse.

Paranorman is a witty movie, that has a somewhat raw and gritty aspect to it. Despite the fact that there is a darker side to this film, there are also some hilarious moments, most of them, thanks to Norman’s new friend Neil.

Neil is to Paranorman what Donkey is to Shrek, Dory to Finding Nemo. He may be short, fat and dorky, but he movie wouldn’t be the same without him.

Sure to be a crowd favourite with the kids, there are also some moments that the parents will enjoy.

The animation in the movie is top-notch. Each character is weirdly shaped and their personalities unique.

Whether you want a good laugh, or just want to see another well made animation, Paranorman is for you. A deserving 8/10.

Paulie

As a child I loved watching Paulie, and even though I am now 21 years old, I still love this classic movie. It is one that I will always remember and cherish.

Paulie, tells the story of a wise-cracking parrot Paulie, who strikes a friendship with a Janitor. Paulie, is a miracle in himself, able to talk with and understand humans. We are then taken through a series of flashbacks, as Paulie tells the story of how he was separated from his first owner, and best friend Marie. Paulie backtracks on his efforts to find, and be reunited with the little girl he loves so dearly.

The stand out performance by far, is from the comical and witty Paulie. Paulie is a wise cracking parrot, though he does have a softer side. He is Marie’s only friend, and helps her overcome her stutter, learning to talk along with her. It is easy to see that the bond between these two is strong, and so when the time comes that Paulie is taken away from Marie, have your tissues ready, as you will need them.

The flashbacks show Paulie’s cheeky side, and highlight his past as a seeing eye bird, thief and finally animal marvel. The film is strongly driven by its narrative, and is one that I recommend for animal lovers.

Paulie is a fun movie, that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. It will make you laugh and cry, but most of all it will make you smile. A commendable 8/10.