The film opens with a car chase and two men in clown masks being chased by police. The driver (Gibson) then proceeds to crash over a fence . . . but not just any fence this fence is the border between the US and Mexico.

Crashing in Mexico turns out to be the worst possible thing that could happen to the driver or Gringo as we hear him called the most. We are never actually sure what his real name is as he uses a couple throughout the film. The original title of this film was ‘Get the Gringo’ and I can understand why after seeing the film.

I am struggling to try and write this review without totally slating and slamming the film. I really did not like anything about it and found it such a waste of time, and possibly the worst film I have seen so far this year. I know that sounds extreme but I will attempt to explain why I did not like it in the review.

So after Gibson is arrested in Mexico he is taken into a holding cell before being transferred into a prison. But this is not just any prison it is more like a community. With families living in the compound, loads of children with there convicted parents. Shops, houses etc. So that as a start point Gibson ends up friends with a 9-year-old boy who tells him he is special. But it takes some finding out how he is special.

Wait for this very interesting plot twist . . . the boy is special as he is a liver match for the man who seems to be running the prison. Just like his father was before him, yes possibly one of the worst film plots ever but believe me it’s even worse when watching it. My favorite laugh out loud moment had to involve the liver but I will not spoil that.

The film is mainly in Spanish so you have to be ready to do quite a bit of reading throughout. But that didn’t really bother me too much, the actual story line did. I really wouldn’t recommend this film at all. I was actually laughing at how bad it was throughout. Mel Gibson still on his downward spiral in my opinion!

The Collins family traveled from Liverpool, England to the new land of the USA in 1790. Barnabas was a small boy at the time. As he grows up so does the family business and the castle they live in. He has an affair with a young woman, but he breaks her heart when he finds his one true love. The only problem is the heart he broke is that of a witch . . .

In true witch fashion she puts a curse on the Collins family and eventually turns Barnabas into a vampire and has him buried. Almost 200 years later though Barnabas is set to make a return, this ensures some very funny moments due to the changes in lifestyle. His ancestors are now living in the castle and he sets his sights on returning the Collins family to there former glory.

But don’t forget he is a vampire and somethings he cannot help but do, suck blood to kill people obviously. This happens in a rather funny way rather than anything scary. Johnny Depp in the role really does give it such high expectations and you can never be disappointed with him!

I found this film to be rather strange as it seemed to get stranger as it went on. Eva Green was very creepy as the witch managing to be extremely evil in her different forms throughout the film.

I loved Alice Cooper performing at a party and the fact that Barnabas thought he was actually a woman having the name Alice. I love the music of the 70′s and enjoyed hearing T Rex songs in the film as well.

I guess the film turned out rather predictable but was still watchable. I think I was expecting something slightly different to what we actually got in this film. The trailer made it look different to what it was actually like. I guess we all know what we are going to get from a Tim Burton film. This reminded me a little bit of Corpse Bride!

Laura Jesson is what appears to be a happily married woman with two children, but everything is not as it seems when we are shown a brief affair in flashback form with Dr Alec Harvey.

Now this film sounded extremely emotional and I was not let down in that respect at all. It really was just incredibly moving and emotional. But I also cannot help but think how controversal it must have been at the time. Two all ready married characters having an affair with each other, later I read that it was banned in some places for showing adultery in a positive and good light.

But I think it just shows that no matter how happy you are in a relationship or marriage someone else can still come along and completely change your life. That doesn’t really give me much extra incentive to get married thinking that could happen. This film really took on a difficult subject and showed how much it can affect the people involved.

I found myself wanting them to be together even though the beginning showed that this was never going to be the case. With the few weeks of meetings being shown in flashback form, seeing each other just once a week for a few hours and going to the cinema together. Having tea, it all just seemed so innocent. But getting to know someone inside out in that time provides a problem when they fall in love with each other.

I really did find myself moved by this incredible story and film making. I cannot help but love black and white films from the 40′s. The more I see them the more I seem to totally love them, I think it reminds us that people have never been as innocent as made out to be. Adultery and affairs have always taken place, and actually been in the films more in the past than now.

A film like this is a tragic love story as the two main characters cannot and will not be together in the end. This is something I much prefer to the rom-com’s we are so accustomed to now. All great love stories end in tragedy! Such a shame I hadn’t seen this film before making my top 10 lists for tragic love stories, this film would certainly be straight in them!

13 Years later the gang are back for the high school reunion and realise that being an adult is not as much fun as they thought when they were still in high school/college.

We know exactly what to expect from this film and we are not let down with this installment of the American Pie films, I have only seen the first two which I think is the way it should be. I really did love those films when I was a teenager, although I hadn’t seen them for so long.

It doesn’t take us long to see where our favorite characters are Jim and Michelle have a child and are struggling with their sex life in the marriage and haven’t been communicating with each other very well, but in true American Pie style and with reference to band camp that all changes at the end.

Kevin is married but seeing Vicki again throws up questions about how much he loves his wife, seeing his first love again. I liked how this storyline was done as it just shows how difficult it can be when you see your first love again after a long time.

Stifler shows that he has never changed and still wishes that he was in high school, the rest of the group feel that he has not grown up and living in the past. This hurts him and he really does realise that he is not a teenager anymore. This is after some very funny Stifler moments!

It was nice to see them all back for what we are guessing is the final time, but I guess never say never. It came across as such a fitting end to what started 13 years ago! Yes I know that is incredibly scary, but the new generation of high school kids at the beach just made them feel old and hope they weren’t like that when they were young. I guess that’s something we can all relate to as we start to get older, we think the next generation are much worse than we ever were.

So while the film was predictable and exactly what we expected, it didn’t stop me from enjoying it and laughing throughout at the types of jokes we want from this type of film.

When the world needs them The Avengers will . . . Assemble!

The film with the most build up in recent years, due to 4 different films being linked to this one. Which just helps show the success Marvel have in the films, as if they didn’t do well in the box office we wouldn’t have gotten the Avengers! I for one am so pleased that they done so well, as I loved this film from start to finish.

Let’s face it before the film starts we know exactly what to expect, we’ve seen the main characters before and we no what they are capable of, but most importantly we know that we are going to be entertained from start to finish. Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark/Iron Man has never disappointed us and he really does add such a brilliant comedy value throughout. A surprise for comedy moments also comes from the Hulk (which lets face it hasn’t worked too well in it’s own film outings) and Mark Ruffalo was just fantastic too! Surely deserves his own film?

Nick Furry is trying to help save the world from Loki who has threaten to bring an army down to destroy everything. By saving the world he must get the Avengers together to give everyone even a small chance. But will people with such big egos and used to working alone really be able to unite and help save the world? Well there’s only one way to find out!

The fight scenes are just brilliant, especially when the climax of it all ends up in Manhattan, NYC. Which leads to some very good scenes. You just have to love superheroes working together and becoming a group. The audience is made to feel like Nick Furry and wanting them to all succeed together.

I had been looking forward to this film since it was first announced really! But then with all the advertisement it just really grew the expectation up even more. Which could often be a difficult thing as it builds up the film so much, but the excitement was so much when I was sat in the cinema ready to watch the film. I can honestly say that I was not disappointed at all, this film really does live up to all of the hype surrounding it.

I went to see the 2D version as I am really not a fan of 3D films. I don’t really think the 3D version would have added very much extra to the viewing experience.

Are you a fan of the Avengers?

Thor Review

Captain America Review

A fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins, from a different planet which were contacted at the very start of the film . . .

Yes it really is as strange as it sounds, some type of aliens are invading the earth and it will end up looking very much like the battleship game everyone probably played as a child. I was wondering how that was going to fit in for quite a while into the film, but I thought the way they worked that part out was very good.

Overall though I was rather bored and found the film very slow to begin with and by the time the big action started I had already given up on the film. I wasn’t completely into it and just wanted it to end really.

Our main character is Alex Hopper who signed up to the Navy when his brother was sick of his silly behaviour and messing his life up. So a new start saw Alex being in the Navy just in time for the alien attack, time to make himself a hero? Well you can’t count someone out especially after they are just told they are going to be kicked out of the Navy!

Rihanna also makes her film debut in a role which could have been filled by any actress really, guess it just shows that she is trying a new career route? So I didn’t really give much thought to her performance, other than it being a long way from her music career.

I heard mixed things about this film, a lot of people I talked to liked it but a few said it was ok. I would place myself more in the ok, but I really did not like this film. I certainly won’t be watching it again!

May the odds be forever in your favour . . . 

The Hunger Games are a yearly event which takes place, when at reaping a girl and a boy are chosen at random from all of the 12 districts. In a post apocalyptic world where the different districts have been ruled by the Capitol for years and this is where the orders for the Hunger Games to happen come from.

We meet Katniss as the film begins with her younger sister who is involved in the reaping for the first time at 12 years old. We then see her in the woods with a male friend Gale, who she hunts with collecting food, helping each other and keeping their families alive.

We are shown that district 12 is not the best place to live and each day is a fight to survival and keep yourself alive. It is not easy but Katniss seems to have her life sorted out and enough things that they really need. We are also quickly shown how important the reaping day is and how much effort everyone goes to, dressing in their very best clothes.

As the reaping takes place we are introduced to a phrase which is often repeated “may the odds be forever in your favour” – this is about how many times your name has been placed into the pot for the selection of the tribute. We soon see some drama when Prim’s name is called out but Katniss cannot bear to let her younger sister go and volunteers to be the tribute in her place. This is not something that happens very often. The boy tribute going with her is Peeta. A boy she seems to recognise.

We see Katniss battle to survive whilst “playing” the Hunger Games, but staying strong for her sister. We are shown the insight into the people in Capitol making things happen from start to finish. I thought the film was very well put together, we supported the characters and wanted them to win right from the start.

Bring on the next one!

A young boy Roger who’s mother had died and he was not living with his father, prayed for a family if the Angels Baseball team won the pendant. Real angels then appear to help the boy and team!

It isn’t long before Roger and his friend JP become friends with the coach of the Angels who wants them at every game or at least on the phone as they watch. So Roger can tell him who the angel is going to help in the next play. This gives everyone around the team such hope that Roger is a lucky charm for them, as they had not been able to win a game all season.

Danny Glover was a brilliant choice for the role of the coach, as he had the perfect mix of being mean to begin with. Then being totally taken over by the two kids who really change his views on everything. Becoming a role model to the two boys and changing his approach to coaching the team.

This film is very much aimed towards children and family viewing and for that it really does tick all of the boxes for an enjoyable family film about a sport. Baseball comes across as a very popular sport for it’s fans and this film is no different in that sense. Just shows you how much children can love a team and a game.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt puts in a brilliant performance at such a young age and really does keep us engaged from start to finish. We cannot help but to feel sorry for him but then be so happy for him the next moment.

Andy over at Fandango Groovers Movie Blog  has set up yet another fantastic blogathon to get involved in. If you have a blog/website get involved! Pick your favorite movie year and back up your choices with the five films that make that year your favorite. Let Andy know you are doing it by clicking the link above!

Haven’t quite decided on my year yet . . .

Paul Conroy (Reynolds) is working out in Iraq when he wakes up to find himself buried alive in a coffin. With a lighter, torch and mobile phone with him. Everyone’s worst nightmare being alive in a coffin . . .

As Paul is trapped he begins to use the mobile phone to try and get people in the outside world to help him. But that is not as easy as it may first seem when people don’t really seem to understand how serious his situation is. They don’t seem to want to listen to him and don’t seem to take him seriously.

We quickly are able to relate to Paul and feel like we are taking the last breathes with his as it seems the coffin becomes smaller and smaller by the second. It is a race against time and we are really not sure whether he will be saved or not. It is hard to decide whether the man who sounds like he cares and is helping, is actually doing anything to get Paul out.

He ends up making a hostage video when told by his kidnapper when his family is mentioned. The company he works for claim he was not employed by them when he was taken due to misconduct that they so obviously made up. Everything is against Paul and nothing seems to be able to help him.

I have to admit that the part I found the most heart stopping had to be when the snake got into the coffin. I really was hating it for Paul (yes, that is how much I was getting into this film). You have to admit that would make everything even worse!

I thought Ryan Reynolds gave an inspired performance being the only actor to actually appear on the screen, the rest of the actors only being a voice on the other end of the phone. He shows us so many emotions and really gets us to care deeply about Paul. It really has to be one of the best performances from an actor who doesn’t have anyone else to act against.

The film was slightly different to what I thought it would be like. I had thought it would show us flashbacks from Paul’s life with his family or show us exactly how he ended up in the coffin, but that is not the approach to this film. That was not a bad thing at all, the emotions of just one actor and his reactions to people on the phone really made this such an incredible film. Well done Ryan Reynolds!

Walter Black has a few problems when splitting up from his wife, struggling to cope with depression he adopts The Beaver as his means of communication. With a different accent he communicates with everyone through the beaver.

If your thinking this film sounds and looks very random then you will not be disappointed as it really is bizarre and random from the very start until the very end. I did however find myself actually laughing out loud at different parts of the film mainly because I ended up rather shocked with what was actually happening.

The Beaver actually helps Walter at work when it comes up with a new toy for his struggling business, but I guess that it is a little strange as it was obviously Walter who came up with idea. I guess at times the concept of it is difficult to get around, and we the audience feel like the other characters in our reaction to the erratic behaviour from Walter.

But the film does not just focus on Walter is focuses on those closest to him and we have a very interesting story-line with his son. Who gets paid by fellow students at school to write papers for them, which works out well for him until the girl he likes asks for help for her graduation speech. Walter’s behaviour has a direct impact on his son and makes his life even more difficult.

I guess in the end this film has some fantastic thoughts and ideas on depression and the way people try to deal with certain aspects of their lives which may become easier if they can hide behind something. Pretending that it is not them and another personality. This is probably still quite a taboo area in life and something that people cannot openly talk about.

I think one of the most difficult things in taking this film seriously has to be the funny accent and how funny the beaver puppet actually looks. It takes the edge off everything else that is happening – it is difficult to tell whether that was intentional or not.

You cannot deny however that good performances come from all the cast members, in what is a very difficult film.

An aging pitcher Billy Chapel who is on his way out of baseball when his team has been sold and he will be the first player to be traded. But before that happens he goes in search of the perfect game, against none other than the Yankees.

As he is standing on the mount or sat in the dugout we are shown his life in flashback form and how he met the woman in his life. The fights, the love and most of all how baseball is everything to him. I thought it was such a brilliant way to show his story. The film shows us a man’s love for the game he has always played and the struggles he must face when he is not going to get to play it anymore.

So what way for a baseball pitcher to go out? The perfect game of course. It keeps us on the edge of our seat when his arm begins to hurt and we are not sure if he is going to manage to complete the game himself. But the willpower and adrenaline manages to see him through until the very end.

He was never the best at relationships and keeping people happy, I guess with his life being consumed by baseball it takes over him and he pushes people away. Jane tries to help him in different ways but they often clash and find it difficult to still be together. Whilst the game is going on we see Jane in the airport and in the end she just couldn’t get on the plane for watching Billy play the game.

I love films about sport and even though I am not American and have only watched a few baseball games for some reason I really do love baseball films. I just think they work really well in showing passion for a sport, especially in this one from the player’s point of view and how a nearly 20 year career can be shown in a couple of hours.

I thought this turbulent story was a ride from start to finish. We grow to really care about Billy and want to see him getting the perfect game as well. I have always had a soft spot for Kevin Costner so it didn’t take much for me to decide to want to watch this film. He really does brilliantly in the role, manages to show such passion.

The story of Violin teacher Roberta Guaspari and her struggle to keep the program in Harlem for school children.

Based on a true story this incredibly moving film is a joy to watch throughout, as even when something sad happens it bounces back with some good news. You cannot help but love what Roberta is doing for the children even if they may not realise it right away.

It all started when her husband left her with two boys Lexi and Nick to raise and took the job in Harlem moving her family there as well. They have problems and issues to begin with but then really become close and help each other so much.

The story goes over a 10 year period and how everything was started we then skip 10 years in advance seeing how successful the program had become but how it also faced the devastating cutting – when schools cut arts and music. This then sees Roberta take on her greatest challenge yet. Organising a special concert which would help fund the project for the next year.

I don’t think anyone could have done this film as well as Streep did, she really is such an incredible actress. She takes us on the fantastic journey with her due to an incredible performance. Learning to play the violin in preparation for the role, practicing 6 hours a day!

The film builds up the characters so much for the viewers to really care about them and want them to succeed. Seeing the children who you would never expect to play a classical instrument really take it to it and care very deeply about it. Having to overcome pressures from their parents and friends at school. But they think it is worth it and really want to succeed at playing.

Wally and Kassie have been friends for years, after attempting to date each other. Once Kassie announces her decision to have a child, using a sperm donor everything changes. After the I am getting pregnant party Kassie leaves to have her son.

7 Years later Kassie who has just been in contact with Wally via email and Christmas cards calls him to tell him that she is moving back to NYC with her son Sebastian. But something that Kassie has no idea about (and that Wally doesn’t really remember) is that Wally replaced the donors sperm with his own!

I have to admit that I found this film to actually be rather emotional, I didn’t think that would be possible. I thought it was going to be a more silly film than taking a serious approach. As I guess this way of having a child is something that is more common now as it really is an option for women. It also shows that they have given up on finding a man and showing romance truly is dead and gone.

Aniston and Bateman worked very well together and had a believable relationship as very close friends who we are never sure if there will be anything more between them. We are kept guessing about that until the very end. I think the nicest relationship has to be between Wally and Sebastian, just showing that you really do have a father/son bond. I thought the head-lice scenes were so amusing yet nice at the same time.

This film does have a heart, which may seem rather strange with subject of it. I was so surprised throughout and found it to be a pleasant experience from start to finish. It’s nothing special but it does the job of entertaining you, taking a very different approach on the usual rom-com formats and endings. It is watchable!

Joe and Jerry are musicians who witness a mob hit and then flee the state disguised as women with an all female band . . .

This was the first time I have watched this film and the main thing I was thinking throughout was why I had not seen it before. I really loved everything about it from start to finish. I just found it to have such a brilliant flow to it all, and such innocence at the same time. Which is so refreshing and not something we tend to find in newer films.

You can easily imagine the things that are going to happen when two men are dressed as women and trying to remember that they are not currently men . . . well on the outside. Something I found amazing about this film was how long we had to wait to see Monroe. It really was quite far into the film for some reason I just expected to see her so much sooner.

When she is on the screen though it lights up so incredibly, I still find that just incredible with the screen presence she brings to a film. You just don’t see that from actresses now. I guess that is why Marilyn is still loved so much from the films she made. We see her perform the song ‘I Wanna Be Loved By You’ and while she is a ditzy blonde type, she’s still so real.

The film is funny, romantic at times but most importantly has such a good heart. Mainly brought from the performances from Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon who are such charming men but also very good at playing the woman part. Bringing the comedy to the screen in such a brilliant way. I love how nobody even suspects them to be men, even after some of the strange behaviour.

The ending and last lines are possibly my favorite ending to a film as it was just so funny, and controversal at the time I am betting. “But I’m a man” “Well nobody’s perfect” . . . honesty I loved that moment so much! I can see this film easily becoming one of my favorites of all time! I just don’t know how I waited this long to eventually watch this film. What had I been keeping from myself?!?! This will be the first viewing of many I am sure, as I loved everything about this film.

The opening monologue featured Crystal in some scenes from the nominated films and sharing a kiss with Geroge Clooney was among it. Also a small cameo from Justin Bieber which Crystal put it that it was to capture the younger audience! His opening speech also had songs about the nine best picture nominations which was actually rather clever due to the nature of some of the films.

We saw loads of different actors throughout the show hitting the stage to present the different awards. Some very charming and others relying on jokes. All of this is what we have come to expect from the ceremony, with a mixture of the current biggest selling actors along with previous Oscar winners and much-loved older actors.

The big four winners . . . aka the acting Oscar winners. These four awards are the most talked about and looked into with the Best Picture and Best Director. As they are the ones audiences pay the most attention to throughout the film going year. These are also the speeches we all want to hear! We want to see how they react and how they then act whilst holding the Oscar they have just won.

Christopher Plummer was my favorite with his “”You’re only two years older than me darling, where have you been all of my life?” that has to be my favorite quote of the night. Just fantastic from Captain Von Trapp! Who became the oldest ever Oscar winner. It makes me want to see The Beginners even more now, as my cinema didn’t screen it!

Obviously my other favorite was the ever fabulous Meryl Streep. Who I have grown to love so much over the past few years, yet I still haven’t managed to catch up on all of her films! I just thought her reaction when she won was so shocking and to be honest I was surprised that she had won as well. Her speech was then just lovely from start to finish and admitting she knows she will never be up there again! I am sure many more nominations will come her way, being the most nominated actress of all time!

The Artist was the big winner collecting best picture, actor and director. So pleased that I can say that I have seen this film as it really is a fantastic experience. As an earlier blog post stated I have only seen 2 of the films which were nominated therefore I am very pleased that I have seen the one that won. Especially that I loved it from start to finish and hope the win encourages people to go and see it!

So after the disappointed of last years Academy Awards, Oscar went back to being more basic and putting on a show that we all have been used to in the past. Therefore a winning formula and I found it very nice to watch, it flowed very well and we got to see a lot of the hottest acting talent around. Much better than last years! Helping me also see which films I now have to catch up with (ok I already knew, but the Oscar makes you want to see them more!). Until next year . . .

This has led me to a different approach for tonight’s Oscars, which I have set to record on Sky+ and not really sure if I am looking forward to them very much. I will of course still watch it tomorrow when I get a chance, but I will probably be checking to see who won which award in the morning!

As I haven’t seen many of the nominated films this year (which has often been due to lack of time at the cinema, or not appearing at the cinema at all). I have decided to do my predictions on the big awards using only the films I have seen:

Best Picture, between The Artist and The Descendants . . . it has to be The Artist. I enjoyed it from start to finish and thought it was just an amazing journey.

Best Actor in a Leading Role, between Clooney, Dujardin and Oldman I am going to go for Dujardin just because he had to use actions rather than words. But I wouldn’t be disappointed if either of the other two walked away with the award.

Best Actress in a Leading Role, between Mara, Streep and Williams I am going to say Williams was my favorite. I thought she was pretty perfect as Monroe.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role, between Branagh and Nolte without a doubt for me Branagh’s performance is on a different level. I still haven’t got over Nolte being nominated I couldn’t understand a word he was saying throughout Warrior.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role, between Bejo and McCarthy it would have to be Bejo such a moving performance in a film I really enjoyed. Yes I did love Bridesmaids but didn’t think any of the performances would get an Oscar nom.

Those are the only one’s I’ll do as let’s face it, it really is not as fun having only seen two or three of the nominations! I guess I have a few films to catch up on from 2011! Any thoughts on which ones not to see is much appreciated!

All Quiet on the Western Front

It Happened One Night

On The Waterfront

Ben-Hur

Annie Hall

Driving Miss Daisy

Schindler’s List

1. You can see as many films as you want – no limit you could go see a couple of films everyday if you really wanted to! You will also end up seeing films you probably wouldn’t have picked out if you had to pay each time, therefore seeing some hidden gems!
2. You don’t have to worry about money – it’s already paid for each money so you don’t have to be concerned about not having enough cash to see the latest releases
3. Exclusive offers – until last weekend my local cinema had an offer on which allowed Unlimited card holders to get 30% off all food/drink/sweets.
4. Exclusive Screenings – every now and then you get an email through telling you about a card holder only special preview of a film, before its general release.
5. Social – If your like myself your friends all have a card too, therefore you can go in a big group or with a close friend. Plus you will end up talking to the staff because they recognize you when you attend the cinema all the time.
6. Quick Service – When purchasing your ticket all you have to do is swipe the card, so much quicker than paying with cash!
7. Local Unlimited Offers - Cineworld has teamed up with all different restaurants in different areas so you can get discount off your meal. Places include Frankie & Benny’s, Nando’s, Handmade Burger Co and Pizza Hut. You will often find that this is a place close to the cinema, so why not combine the two for a night?

If you like going to the cinema and watching the latest releases you really should check how close Cineworld is to you as this Card really is the way forward when it comes to cinema viewing.

It has been 3 years now for Let’s Go To The Movies (well slightly over as the first post I made was 9th February 2009) I had no idea that when I started this blog, actually that was the date of my first post! I registered the blog on January 28, 2009. Now this blog is something that I wish I had started years before that date. As I had seen some very random films and I would have loved to have been able to look back and remember what I thought of them at the time. A reason why I keep going with reviews, especially for films I have seen in the cinema to get my thoughts saved as soon as possible. I try to complete cinema reviews as soon as I return home or the next day. I find it gets harder to review a film the longer you leave it. I have enjoyed creating top 10 lists and making general posts on movies or actors.

I go to the cinema at least twice a week most of the time (depending on how many films are released) due to having a Cineworld Unlimited Card so why not try to review everything that I see on the big screen? But some films do slip through the net!

But I have to admit that if you told me I would keep this blog going for 3 years with not many gaps in posts, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. I also find it just brilliant to see that so many fellow bloggers who started in Feb 2009 are still going strong today and posting about 3 years themselves. I still enjoy reading those blogs too!

So we shall now focus on the year ahead and what 2012 has to bring in the year of film!

Films I’ve Seen: The Descendants, The American, Up in the Air, Oceans 11, Oceans 12, Oceans 13, Fantastic Mr Fox, The Men Who Stare At Goats, Burn After Reading, Michael Clayton, Intolerable Cruelty, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, The Perfect Storm, One Fine Day, Batman & Robin, From Dusk Till Dawn.

Films I Haven’t Seen: Ides of March, Leatherheads, The Good German, Syriana, Solaris,  O Brother Where ‘Art Thou, Three Kings, Out of Sight.

10.  The Men Who Stare At Goats (2009) Review

I found this film to be one of the strangest that I have seen, but found Clooney’s performance to be just fantastic from start to finish. He done the whole crazy conspiracy thing so well.

9. Burn After Reading (2008)

A very off the wall comedy around a disc containing some very top-secret information, this film is random from start to finish. But has some fantastic performances throughout.

8. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)

An acting and directing role for Clooney in which this film looks at a chat show host claims he is a CIA hitman.

7. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) 

Two criminals and their hostages take refuge in a place that just happens to be overrun with vampires. A brilliantly jumpy action horror film. With Clooney taking the lead role in such a brilliant manner.

6. Intolerable Cruelty (2003) 

Clooney pairs up with one of my favorite actresses in Catherine Zeta Jones so I was always going to like this film, but I actually love this film. They have such incredible on-screen chemistry and seeing them try to get one over on each other throughout is just brilliant.

5. One Fine Day (1996)

This has to be one of the nicest romantic comedies that you will possibly see, and I mean that in such a good way. It makes you smile and happy from start to finish. Showing just what can happen in a short a time as one day.

4. Michael Clayton (2007)

A brilliant legal drama in which Clooney’s character Michael Clayton must do all the dirty work for a law firm. Not as simple as it sounds when things take a turn for the worst!

3. Oceans 11 (2001)

Possibly one of the coolest films to grace our screens, with the coolest cast headed up by none other than Clooney. He is Danny Ocean and he rules this film in such an incredible way. This film has such a fantastic storyline with a brilliant twist.

2. The Descendants (2011) Review

A possible up and coming Oscar win in a lead role for Clooney on Sunday night, which he would thoroughly deserve as in this film he shows all emotions. As a man coming to terms with his wife’s accident but the added trauma of finding out she was having an affair and had planned to leave him. We see him reconnect with his two daughters and grow throughout the film.

1. Up in the Air (2009) Review

I hold this film very close to my heart as I related so much to it when seeing it at the cinema on its release. I remember thinking that it was the best performance I had seen from Clooney with so much emotion put in throughout. The small twist at the end really did shock me, and I haven’t quite got over it yet.

The relationship between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud helps launch psychoanalysis but Russian patient Sabina Spielrein comes between them.

This film tells the story of how psychoanalysis started and progressed when Carl Jung decided to try the talking method with his patients. A method which was first thought up of by Freud, but had not really been practiced. We are shown Jung using this method with a young Russian girl Speilrein. Who’s mental problems are related to humiliation and sexual stimulation from that.

The story unfolded rather slowly as we see the relationship develop between the doctor and patient. From the beginning it is pretty obvious that an affair is the way it was heading. It just seemed to take so long to get to that point, I guess it was an attempt to build up the relationship.

This relationship taking place is the beginning of the end for Jung’s with Freud who is massively let down when he discovers the truth. He had placed a lot of trust in Jung and how much he had helped his methods grow over the years. That leads into one of the main problems I had with this film, the shifting of the timescale. I ended up confused trying to remember which year we were now in and how many had passed from the start of the film.

I found it on a whole to feel long and drawn out without much outcome or point in the end. I guess that because I had studied psychology myself before I already had background info on the subject area so nothing was really new. I am a big Viggo Mortensen fan so naturally enjoyed his performance. Fassbender was very engaging as well, this film didn’t do much to help me like Knightley she just seems to be one of those actresses I just cannot get away with.

I wouldn’t recommend rushing out to see this film right away, what are other people’s thoughts on this film?

A very risky move to make not only a black and white movie but also a silent movie. In the world of current cinema, with the high budgets for action sequences and having the most famous actors in them. All about box office and how popular films are with critics. Then came ‘The Artist’ which would ask the question: Do actions really speak louder than words?

YES

That would be the short answer to that question. Actions really do speak louder than words, which is shown from start to finish in this film. The acting is just incredible and the emotions which are shown are just amazing. We can really feel and relate to the characters throughout the film.

I have heard a lot of people would not even give the film a chance, because it was silent. Which after watching the film I find extremely ironic that the film is about the lead actor being scared about being replaced for talking pictures. When people aren’t now willing to give a silent film a chance because it does not have any talking in it! It’s a shame people are missing out by not giving it a chance. How do you know for sure that you’re not going to like it? I will admit that I had never seen a silent film before but I am so pleased this was the first one!

I would say that ‘The Artist’ is without a doubt the feel good film of 2011 and thoroughly deserves to win the Best Picture Oscar (I am rooting for it). But don’t let that fool you that it’s just all happy all of the time, that’s far from it. We are taken on an emotional roller-coaster, feeling not only the happiness, but the sadness, depression and sorrow of the lead character. His fall from grace but the help he eventually gets from the woman’s career he launched.

It’s not a full on silent film though, we do have 1 line . . . which is naturally the closing of the film. So perfectly placed to finish a fantastic cinematic journey, the journey of the end of silent films and being replaced by talking.

One thing I hope is that we don’t have loads more films trying to be ‘The Artist’ as I truly don’t think it would work. This film is so special and deserves all the plaudits and praise but it also deserves to stand alone as I don’t think anything is going to have impact like this one does any time soon!

10. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (Review)

The second installment of Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes did not disappoint, it was enjoyable and funny with plenty of action from start to finish. The chemistry between Downey Jr and Law really is just brilliant. An improvement on the first film!

9. Tinker Tailor Solider Spy (Review)

A film which kept you guessing throughout, very complex and detailed. It may seem rather slow at first, but don’t let that put you off. Stick with it as it improves throughout, incredible cast with incredible performances!

8. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Review)

The film which everyone was talking about at the end of 2011. Brought out between Christmas and New Year which was probably not the best decision for the box office takings. But I went at it with great caution having read the book! It was incredibly adapted from the source material and made up for a brilliant film.

7. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (Review)

I am probably the most surprised to have this in my list of best films from 2011, as I wasn’t really too bothered about seeing it in all honesty. But I really did enjoy it from the very start until the very end. The action, the special effects and more importantly the good story-line made this a highlight for me.

6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II (Review)

This really was the end and we even went to a midnight screening. It was worth it (although not for the 3D). They finished the series in such amazing fashion with the battle scenes and the emotion being thrown from the screen into the audience. It really is a good film and up there with the best of the year.

5. X-Men: First Class (Review)

I have always loved the X-Men films (ok maybe not Wolverine) but when I heard they were going back to the beginning, actually that should be past the beginning of the films I wasn’t sure what we were going to end up with (after Wolverine). But what we got was a fantastic comic book film, with effects and fight scenes along with the background stories of the characters we had already known – along with some new additions.

4. My Week with Marilyn (Review)

I found this film to be so charming and lovely, with some amazing performances. Trying to show us that there was more to Monroe than the films showed and how different she was in her personal life. The struggles she had and how people tried to help her as much as possible.

3. Super 8 (Review)

Now this has to be the biggest surprise package of 2011 for me. I wasn’t really sure what the film was about and I think that was a good thing when I went to see it. The train crash has to be one of the best special effects in film in recent times. But then the story of friendship between the boys and finding your first love was just brilliant all rolled together.

2. Bridesmaids (Review)

The funniest film of the year, without a doubt in my mind. I really did love this, because I could relate to it and understand a lot of the pain the characters felt. It was a brilliant cinema experience with people laughing out loud. It was rude, crude and much dirtier than I expected. But it’s not the female version of ‘The Hangover’ . . . it’s so much better!

1. The Artist  (Review)

Now I had heard so much about this film and eventually got my chance to see it in the cinema after what felt like months and months of extra waiting. I am so glad I did as it is without a doubt my favorite film of 2011. It was an emotional roller-coaster from start to finish showing some incredible acting, demonstrating that actions really do speak so much louder than words. It was so refreshing to see such an incredible cinematic experience, I really fell in love with this film.

Emma and Adam have known each other for years and their paths keep crossing at different stages in their life. This leads to them deciding to have a strictly physical relationship, but is that actually possible?

The simple answer to that question is no. This film helps to show how a guy and a girl cannot be just friends without one or the other having feelings at some point, ok I mean friends as in with benefits . . . it’s too close to get to someone without ever feeling anything. It’s what you decide to do about those feelings which this film deals with.

I really did find myself enjoying this film from start to finish, it was funny, it had a heart but most of all I could relate to it. I like Ashton Kutcher and even more so Natalie Portman, they also worked extremely well together. I found myself understanding Portman’s character Emma and thought that I do similar things to her.

It works out very well for them to begin with but there is always a risk that one of them will want a little bit more after not too long. It all went wrong for Emma and Adam when they actually started helping each other out in particular when Emma went with Adam to see his dad who was now going out with his ex-girlfriend. Yes that does sound complicated but it all adds to the film.

I have been trying not to mention the other film with pretty much the same base story line that came out last year  . . . but I have to “Friends with Benefits” with Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. I actually saw that one in the cinema and really enjoyed that too, but that did not stop me from enjoying this film too.

No Strings Attached was dirtier than I expected I really thought it was going to be your typical rom-com with the outcomes being very obvious, but it was geared towards a younger generation and not clichéd. It was more real and even the ending could be possible. (Which I will not spoil).

This film is telling it like it is now, with less people expecting the fairy tale of love and settling for sex!

A young lawyer Arthur Kipps must travel to a remote village to sort out affairs of a house, which he quickly discovers has a rather terrifying story to go with it. The vengeful ghost of scorned woman is still inside . . .

From start to finish this film keeps the audience on the very edge of their seats. The tone of the film is very dark which adds to the suspense.

Arthur leaving his young son Joseph behind has his own demons to contend with before even arriving in the town and first setting foot in the house. Losing his wife at a young age, whilst she was giving birth to their son. A young widower who finds himself in the middle of some strange things happening.

His arrival in the village is not welcomed by anyone and this seems extremely strange. It is very obvious that they are all keeping something from Arthur, especially when trying to force him on a train back to London. It slowly becomes obvious why they want him to leave, after he visits the house for the first time. It is creepy and old and the music in the scenes really do make it very scary!

More for the anticipation than what actually ended up happening, well that’s how I felt anyway. A few people at the screening I was at screamed at different parts but that’s not really how I have ever been watching films. But I did jump a few times I am going to admit that! Although it wasn’t as scary and jumpy as I was expecting it to be, I still enjoyed it though.

I don’t want to spoil the story and the twists and turns it takes throughout. But I will say that I was not expecting the ending to be how it was, although I can understand that it allows the audience to make their own minds up on why it ended that way.

I would recommend this film to people who wouldn’t usually go for a ghost/horror/thriller as it crosses a few different genres and really is very good from start to finish. Was Daniel Radcliffe Harry Potter or something?

A car accident puts Paige into a coma, when awakening she has severe memory loss. Her husband Leo must work to win back her heart, as she cannot remember the previous five years of her life.

Yes the romantic at heart part of me has been looking forward to seeing this film since the first time I saw the trailer. Therefore seeing it at the cinema was always going to happen, however I didn’t get the film that I was expecting. I was expecting something more romantic with a happy ending . . . I mean I guess the ending was let for the audience to decide but it felt quite sad and unexpected. I know very clichéd but I just wanted it all to work out in the end. More life-like but still, I had a tough weekend!

Channing Tatum is not the best actor in the world, but yes he is very attractive and I very much enjoy watching him on the big screen. Ok he is a pretty boy but I like watching pretty boy’s every now and then. I wouldn’t mind him as my husband as well! Anyway back to the film, his character Leo just really does seem too perfect. You cannot help but feel sorry for him when his wife Paige has no idea who he!

He tries everything possible to help trigger her memory and bring his wife back to him. Going to different spots that were there’s and pulling out all the stops. He even tries to date her again to see if it is possible for her to fall in love with him all over again. Surely this has to be worse than someone choosing to leave you, having the love of your life forget you is just so tragic!

I am actually growing to like Rachel McAdams the more films I see her in, although it seems that she is getting typecast in a similar type of role! But I am looking forward to seeing the direction her next films take her in.

As this film is out in time for Valentine’s Day . . . I would recommend people for a Valentine’s Day date to go and see something else, this isn’t really the right film to see with your boyfriend/girlfriend!

The much-loved Muppets are back on the big screen! They must reunite to save their old theatre from a greedy oil tycoon, with the help of three fans.

Walter never felt like he fit in with his life and especially with his brother . . . but that all changed one night when he saw ‘The Muppet’s Show’ on TV. It changed his whole world and he quickly became their biggest fan. Then a trip to LA to see the studio’s it was filmed in is when Walter realises that he must help to stop the studios being sold. Therefore reuniting the Muppets to perform together once again.

I have to admit that I was really looking forward to this film, from when it was announced! Yes I know probably rather sad but come on who doesn’t have a soft spot for the Muppets? You cannot help but enjoy watching them. With that in mind this film did not disappoint.

I loved the random songs, actually make that extremely random songs and dance sequences. Which are then referenced in the dialogue which makes it so tongue in cheek and very funny to the audience. I thought Jason Segel and Amy Adams were just brilliant choices for the roles, due to his comedy background and her over the top performance in Enchanted really set them up well for this film.

My favorite Muppet is obviously Miss Piggy, so hilarious to watch and totally owns all the other Muppets. Kermit really doesn’t stand a chance with her at all. Just brilliant to see the Muppets again especially as they are all so well-known to people of all ages.

However, we went to the 8:20pm screening on opening night on the biggest screen in the cinema and it was nowhere near full. Not many people into see it at all. So I will be very interested to see how this does at the box office!

Matt King’s world is turned upside down when his wife ends up in a coma after a boating accident. This sees him reconnect with his two daughters and start the grieving process.

But it’s really not a simple story about a man who has to face losing his wife, he has to face it after finding out that she was having an affair with another man. This being the reason his eldest daughter Alexandra had fallen out with her mother, before being sent away to an institution for drink and drug problems. His youngest daughter Scottie had her own problems and looked to be spiralling out of control like her sister.

When Matt decides to confront the man his wife was having an affair with Alexandra and Scottie go with him for the trip along with Sid. Who seems like a very strange addition to the group but it makes much more sense towards then end why Alexandra wanted him around so much.

But this was not the only thing Matt had to deal with, he had to focus on a deal involving all of his cousins for a big bit of land they owned through the family which he was in charge of. This gave him extra headaches when he had to decide whether to sell or not.

We therefore see Matt on an emotional rollercoaster through having to deal with all of this at the same time, whilst trying to figure out how to raise his daughters and attempt to understand them. This brings out an incredible performance from Clooney who throughly deserves all the accolades coming his way for this film.

I was extremely impressed with Shailene Woodley who I thought gave a terrific performance as the oldest daughter. Who clearly had her problems and grew as the film went on and became likeable which did not seem possible in the beginning.

The thing that surprised me the most about this film was the comedy side of it, I thought it was going to be a very hard-hitting drama. But that was not it at all, it really did have some very funny parts and made me laugh. It also had moments when you weren’t sure whether you were supposed to laugh or cry – which just helps to show how many different emotions we see from start to finish.

An emotional drama about a woman Emilia (Portman) who after having an affair marries the man after he gets a divorce and has a hostile relationship with her stepson due to his mother’s influence.

This film has two different titles, the most widely used is Love and Other Impossible Pursuits but it had a change to The Other Woman in the US. Both of which help to explain what this film is about. Emilia is the other woman, but becomes the wife as well. Having an affair with Jack who she had worked with, his marriage to Carolyn was a shame but he lived for his son William.

Emilia was pregnant but we quickly discover that the baby Isabel died at only 3 days old. This is what we see Emilia having to deal with throughout the film. This causes her to hurt the ones closest to her including her husband, stepson, mother and father. She cannot forgive her father for what he had done to his mother. She has two close friends who are constantly there for her. But she really does make things more difficult for herself but the grief really does take over.

I thought it was a truly fantastic performance from Natalie Portman who really managed to make the character’s pain and suffering so believable. I could not help but to feel sorry for her, even though she wouldn’t really let anyone try to help. She totally pushed them away, but that’s something I can imagine doing myself. Yes she was the other woman and Jack left his wife to be with her but surely that’s better than staying in an unhappy marriage with both people suffering?

William started out to be very annoying due to the way his mother had him act when with Emilia but it soon turned out that he just wanted to keep everyone happy. They ended up helping and in a way saving each other with the way everything was crumbling around them. He was just acting out and when he accepted what was happening it was good for everyone.

The grief Emilia was going to was just awful – I won’t spoil one major part of the story line but it did create a brilliant end scene with Carolyn! Something that I was not expecting to see. I cannot imagine many people seeing this film and I find that a shame as thought the cast worked very well together addressing the very difficult situation of a baby’s death.

The story of the Johnstone twins who were separated at birth. One given away to be brought up by an upper class family. Giving him the life his twin would never have. Their paths keep crossing and everything is done to keep them apart.

We are shown them dead at the very start of the show, so we know it is not going to be a nice happy ended. The first act really was lighthearted in the places and had some very funny moments when the boys were young. The second act is very different and takes some very emotional turns.

Maureen Nolan took the lead as Mrs Johnstone and was fantastic from start to finish going through so many emotions in front of our eyes on the stage. Including the very emotional and tragic final scene which sees the twins find out the truth and meet death in front of their mothers eyes. I thought this was one of the most emotional and heartfelt scenes I have ever seen on the stage. It took Nolan until the 4th stage bow to be able to smile after the tears had still been falling down her face.

Marti Pellow was haunting as the narrator constantly being on the stage and his presence felt to keep us updated on what was happening in the story, moving it all along and keeping it together with a brilliant pace. He really was such a good choice for this role and I have to admit that I enjoyed seeing him constantly on the stage.

Mickey and Eddie constantly seemed to be drawn to each other but with Eddie’s “mother” trying to keep them apart when they become best friends and blood brothers when they are 7. Even taking to moving away so they will no longer be able to see each other. The two actors in those roles were truly fantastic going from 7-year-old boys, teenagers and then men. Growing up before our eyes was a brilliant thing to see.

The musical numbers were very haunting as well, being a massive fan of Marilyn Monroe I really enjoyed that song and how they kept coming back to her to make references. Let’s face it even now if the 50th anniversary year of her death she still seems to be so relevant and everyone still knows exactly who she is, she will never go out of style.

I cannot give this musical/show enough praise as it really did take my breath away and I went through every emotion whilst watching it. Feeling the pain of the characters as well, fantastic acting and performances from the whole cast – which was not the biggest and they really did work so well together.

Have you not heard the story of the Johnstone twins?

Silent movie star George Valentin has his world turned upside down when talking pictures are introduced. We are taken on the journey with him in an incredible film which really does show that actions speak louder than words!

I have to admit that before seeing this film at the cinema yesterday I had never seen a silent movie before. Which I know may seem rather strange in wanting to see this film so much, but I knew how they worked and found myself very curious about this film. Especially being made in the current day, which had to be considered a very risky move on whether people would love or hate it.

Well I have to say that I totally loved it and found it to be a very good cinema experience, having to really pay attention to the characters emotions and watch them more closer than you normally would to understand how they are feeling without the use of words. It worked so brilliantly as the cast was very impressive. Especially Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo who were both a joy to watch from start to finish.

It’s not something that you would often think about how talkies replaced the silent movies and what would have happened to the stars of that era if they did not want to be seen talking on film. As we see with George they were most likely forgotten and replaced with younger stars.

I just really enjoyed being able to just watch the actors act and not focus on what they were saying, letting all the actions speak for them and it really did just work so well. I had heard so much about this film being the film of the year and a very happy film to see – and this was all true and did not disappoint.

I just found it so up lifting and rather magical from start to finish, with some amusing moments throughout but also very heartfelt moments. It really does have such a brilliant chance to pick up the best picture Oscar as it has to be the most stand out film from recent years let alone 2011.

A look into the life of the first female Prime Minister in Great Britain. An old Margaret Thatcher who is suffering from dementia, we see her story in flashback form.

Before I really get into this review I must remind everyone that I was born in ’87 therefore cannot remember any of Thatcher’s time in Parliament. So this film was quite difficult to follow at times as I did not know the timescale of when events happened.

I kept forgetting throughout the film that it was indeed Meryl Streep portraying Thatcher! She was absolutely fantastic in the role covering many ages and years. Showing how the woman who became known as the Iron Lady really changed the face of Britain.

I found the film very difficult to watch throughout as showing Thatcher with her dementia and having her dead husband Dennis as her imaginary friend was a strange way to go with it. I have had experience with dementia as my Nanna suffered from it which I think made it even more difficult to watch in this film.

I always thought it was amazing that a woman managed to be the leader of the UK when Thatcher did, due to how much politics was dominated by men (and for the most part) still is really. So for a woman to achieve what Thatcher did really inspires me! Which may be controversial with how a lot of people viewed her, especially when I am from the north-east which was badly hit with the miner’s strikes. But I am way too young to remember any of that at all.

I wanted to like this film as really like Meryl Streep and her performance was very good but I did not feel that the film flowed in the best possible way and that we could have seen so much more about her rise and fall than we did and in a different way to how they went with this film. I still feel I now know more about the Iron Lady – who’s first nickname was not touched on in the film Thatcher the milk snatcher after she stopped school milk when education secretary.

I thought Jim Broadbent was wonderful as Dennis and brought an edge of comedy in a mainly serious film. It definitely is not an easy watch and difficult to follow at times when it skips between the different years.

An agent working for a private company suddenly finds herself outcast after she is betrayed and set up on her latest mission.

This film had plenty of action from the very start, but seemed rather random as we had no idea what was actually going on. It took a while for the story line to make sense due to not being sure who each of the characters were. And the roles they played in different events which had happened. We were being told a lot of the story in flashback form, until we reached the ending of the film. This I thought was a good method but it did not help with the confusion as I felt some details were kept from us not helping with the understanding.

I have to admit that I was very much looking forward to this film mainly to see Michael Douglas on the big screen again! But I did guess that he would probably not have very much screen time. This was true he was not in the film very often but for me totally stole each scene he was in.

I found Gina Carano to be very good in the main role and thought she could easily be the next Lara Croft! Or any other action woman type! She really did own the screen and was in some very good fighting scenes with the men!

While I found a few good things about this film, it was spoilt by the cinema going experience of very rude people in the audience! Which I know should not impact the film but it certainly did for this one! People talking around me and constantly going to the toilet! Yes a very small rant in the middle of my review, but I think I would have enjoyed the film more in a quieter cinema screening!

Therefore I am rather undecided if I really like Haywire or not . . .

A Politian and ballerina feel destined to be together but something is keeping them apart. All because it is not in the plan . . .

I was so disappointed when I missed this film in the cinema and even more so now after I have seen it. I really did enjoy it from start to finish. Felt it had a very solid and interesting story line. Looking into fate, destiny and chance and what if we already had a set plan which our lives had to follow.

David and Elise meet one day by chance – and this was not in the plan for either of them as they were never actually supposed to meet. We then see the organisation trying everything they can to stop them seeing each other again. They even have to tell David what they do to keep everyone on track. While he understands this and promises not to reveal them (which would result in him being reset).

3 Years later whilst riding the same bus David sees Elise in the street and rushes to see her. Making this the second meeting by chance – again not in line with the plan. But David does not want to give up so easily this time and really tries to make sure he can keep seeing her.

Richardson is the main man trying to stop David for a while, but Harry wants to help David as well. I won’t spoil what happens in the end as the film does keep you guessing as you’re not actually sure which direction it is going to go in. It does have a few different twists and turns. But I will mention the doors, being able to go through a door and come out somewhere else in New York looks very cool!

I thought Matt Damon and Emily Blunt worked well together and had very good on-screen chemistry as well. I am not always with the biggest fan of Damon as find some of his roles very hit/miss. I thought this one was a big hit for me and would easily watch this film again.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story line and thinking about fate/chance /destiny and if it really does play a part in life.

10. Larry Crowne (Review)

I hate that I have put a Julia Roberts film in my 10 worst films of 2011, but I was so disappointed by this film! I was expecting too much from it and it really didn’t offer anything at all.

9. Warrior (Review)

This is probably my most controversial choice, but this film had such a massive build up and potential to be very good but it just totally failed for me.

8. The Three Musketeers

This could have been really good, but I found it was not memorable in the slightest and not worth the time and effort to sit and watch it!

7. Abduction

Now I wasn’t expecting this film to be good at all, but I wasn’t expecting it to be as bad as it was. Baring in mind the plot had pretty good potential but acting wise it was a total let down.

6. Conan the Barbarian (Review)

This seemed to start off alright, but then as it built up towards the end it just all ended in disappointment.

5. Horrible Bosses (Review)

Having the word horrible in the title can be related to this film as well, it was truly horrible from the start to the end.

4. Justice

Sorry Nicolas Cage but this does not get you back in the good film list or even on the mind. But let’s face it we never expected this to be very good. Cage’s track record in recent years for films has not been good at all.

3. Tower Heist

I didn’t even want to go and see this film as it just looked bad, so in that sense I wasn’t disappointed. It just seemed like one of the most pointless films I have seen in recent years and how the mighty have fallen aka Eddie Murphy!

2. Bad Teacher (Review)

Another film in this list with part of the title describing how I found the film, in this case bad . . . and wow it was very very bad. Possibly one of the worst films I have seen!

1.  The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I (Review)

Fantastically placed up in top spot of the worst films I saw in 2011. It really surprised me at how awful the film was, the fact it had music being played at random times over the top of everything and don’t get me started on the talking “dog” scene – one of the worst in cinema history for sure!

Lisbeth Salander a computer hacker and disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist form an unlikely partnership in an investigation into the disappearance of Harriet Vanger, 40 years earlier.

We are given a good background to both characters, seeing Mikael with his family and the people he works with at Millenium magazine and when he gets the offer from Vagner. We see how much of a struggle Lisbeth’s life seems to be, and glimpses of her violent lifestyle. That she did not have very good relationships with the men in her life, this being topped by the awful rape from a man in a postion of power over her and in control of everything.

I was very impressed with how true to the book the film stayed, with a lot of it being how I had imagined it whilst reading. Noomi Rapace was exactly how I imagined Lisbeth, capturing her withdrawn nature but then how she gets close to Mikael. Michael Nyqvist as Blomkvist also captured the character so well, bringing him to life from the page to the screen.

The pace of the film was very good and we got a very good amount of background information to aid the understanding of the story. Something I found important with the regards to an adaptation from the book, as we are given a lot of information to think about and remember from start to finish. This was handled with in a very good way in the film.

I haven’t really got into watching foreign films before as always thought reading the subtitles would be too much of a difficult task. But how wrong I was about that, the performances in this film are incredible. Plus a lot of Swedish words are similar to the English equivalent so it turns out you don’t actually have to read very much during the course of the film. I guess the old cliché of actions speak louder than words comes into it when brilliant performances are put in.

I really did find this a brilliant adaptation of the book from page to screen and at times it really was exactly how I imagined it whilst reading the book. Rapace was the perfect Salander in my eyes!

Looking at this list I feel as though I have missed some of the best films of 2011!

The Artist

The Help

Midnight in Paris

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Beginners

Tree of Life

Hugo

Ides of March

Moneyball

Drive

Best Motion Picture – Drama

The Descendants

The Help

Hugo

The Ides of March

Moneyball

War Horse

Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical

50/50

The Artist

Bridesmaids

Midnight in Paris

My Week with Marilyn

Best Actor – Drama

George Clooney, The Descendants

Leonardo DiCaprio, J Edgar

Michael Fassbender, Shame

Ryan Gosling, The Ides of March

Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Best Actress – Drama

Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs

Viola Davis, The Help

Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady

Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin

Best Actor – Comedy or Musical

Jean Dujardin, The Artist

Brendan Gleeson, The Guard

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 50/50

Ryan Gosling, Crazy Stupid Love

Owen Wilson, Midnight in Paris

Best Actress – Comedy or Musical

Jodie Foster, Carnage

Charlize Theron, Young Adult

Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids

Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn

Kate Winslet, Carnage

Best Supporting Actor

Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn

Albert Brooks, Drive

Jonah Hill, Moneyball

Viggo Mortensen, A Dangerous Method

Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Best Supporting Actress

Berenice Bejo, The Artist

Jessica Chastain, The Help

Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs

Octavia Spencer, The Help

Shailene Woodley, The Descendants

Best Director

Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris

George Clooney, The Ides of March

Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist

Alexander Payne, The Descendants

Martin Scorsese, Hugo

Best Screenplay

The Artist

The Descendants

The Ides of March

Moneyball

Midnight in Paris

Best Score

The Artist

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Hugo

War Horse

W.E.

Best Song

Albert Nobbs, ‘Lay Your Head Down’

Gnomeo and Juliet, ‘Hello Hello’

The Help, ‘The Living Proof’

Machine Gun Preacher, ‘The Keeper’

W.E., ‘Masterpiece’

Best Animated Feature

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn

Arthur Christmas

Cars 2

Puss in Boots

Rango

Best Foreign Language Film

The Flowers of War (China)

In the Land of Blood and Honey (USA)

The Kid with a Bike (Belgium)

A Separation (Iran)

The Skin I Live in (Spain)

Television awards

Best TV Series – Drama

American Horror Story

Boardwalk Empire

Boss

Games of Thrones

Homeland

Best TV Series – Comedy or Musical

Enlightened

Episodes

Glee

Modern Family

New Girl

Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV

Cinema Verite

Downton Abbey

The Hour

Mildred Pierce

Too Big to Fail

Best Actor – Drama

Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire

Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad

Kelsey Grammer, Boss

Jeremy Irons, The Borgias

Damian Lewis, Homeland

Best Actress – Drama

Claire Danes, Homeland

Mireille Enos, The Killing

Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

Madeleine Stowe, Revenge

Callie Thorne, Necessary Roughness

Best Actor – Comedy or Musical

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

David Duchovny, Californication

Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory

Thomas Jane, Hung

Matt LeBlanc, Episodes

Best Actress – Comedy or Musical

Laura Dern, Enlightened

Zooey Deschanel, New Girl

Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Laua Linney, The Big C

Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Best Actor – Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV

Hugh Bonneville, Downton Abbey

Idris Elba, Luther

William Hurt, Too Big to Fail

Bill Nighy, Page Eight

Dominic West, The Hour

Best Actress – Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV

Romola Garai, The Hour

Diane Lane, Cinema Verite

Elizabeth McGovern, Downton Abbey

Emily Watson, Appropriate Adult

Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce

Best Supporting Actor

Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

Paul Giamatti, Too Big to Fail

Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce

Tim Robbins, Cinema Verite

Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Best Supporting Actress

Jessica Lange, American Horror Story

Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire

Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey

Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

Evan Rachel Wood, Mildred Pierce

Period Film

THE ARTIST     Production Designer: Laurence Bennett

HUGO     Production Designer: Dante Ferretti

THE HELP     Production Designer: Mark Ricker

ANONYMOUS     Production Designer: Sebastian Krawinkel

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY     Production Designer: Maria Djurkovic

Fantasy Film

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2     Production Designer: Stuart Craig

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER     Production Designer: Rick Heinrichs

THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN: THE SECRET UNICORN     Production Designer: TBD

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES     Production Designer: John Myhre

COWBOYS & ALIENS     Production Designer: Scott Chambliss

Contemporary Film

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO    Production Designer: Donald Graham Burt

THE DESCENDANTS     Production Designer: Jane Anne Stewart

EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE Production Designer: K.K. Barrett

DRIVE     Production Designer: Beth Mickle

BRIDESMAIDS     Production Designer: Jefferson Sage

Best Picture
The Artist
Bridesmaids
The Descendants
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Help
Hugo
The Ides of March
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
War Horse 

Best Animated Film
The Adventures of Tintin
Cars 2
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

Best Documentary
Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest
Bill Cunningham New York
Project Nim
Senna
The Union 

Long-form Television
Cinema Verite
Downton Abbey
The Kennedys
Mildred Pierce
Too Big to Fail

TV Comedy
30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
Glee
Modern Family
Parks and Recreation

TV Drama
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Mad Men

Live Entertainment & Talk
The Colbert Report
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Real Time with Bill Maher
Saturday Night Live
The 64th Annual Tony Awards

Competition Television
The Amazing Race
American Idol
Dancing With the Stars
Project Runway
Top Chef

Non-Fiction TV
30 for 30
American Masters
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
Deadliest Catch
Undercover Boss

Ethan Hunt is back for the fourth time and must work with his time rouge, when IMF goes into ghost protocol . . . meaning none of them even exist anymore.

We have come to pretty much know what to expect with MI films now and you cannot really go wrong if you want an action film to watch and enjoy. I have to admit that I wasn’t really expecting to enjoy this film as much as I did, yet I found it very engaging from start to finish.

The fast pace is very good to the story line which does not allow the audience to take much of a breath throughout, we have explosions, jumping out of buildings and car chases. All of this with a very strong plot with many twists and turns along the way. I wasn’t entirely sure which way everything was going to go, which can only be a good thing. We wouldn’t want the whole plot to be too obvious.

Along with the action, we get a very good mix of comedy with some brilliant one liners and exchanges which mainly involved Simon Pegg. I don’t want to give too much away about the plot but Ethan’s wife is a main focus point and a very important part from start to finish. Jeremy Renner impressed me yet again and seems to be going from strength to strength will each role he is cast in.

The team must prevent war between Russia and the USA after Ethan was set up to be involved in something he actually wasn’t. This lead to being followed by Russian’s making his mission even more difficult to complete. But the war they are trying to stop just happens to be a nuclear war! Can they get it all stopped in time? Well to find that out you’ll have to watch for yourself!

It really was such an entertaining film, I think the fact knowing Tom Cruise done the stunts himself especially climbing up The Burj Khalifa tower which is the tallest building in the world. I also loved the use of many Apple products, iPhone, iPad, Macbook Air! I think we can tell who has the edge on product placement!

Here’s an excerpt:

The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed about 160,000 times in 2011. If it were an exhibit at the Louvre Museum, it would take about 7 days for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

• Try to review each film I see at the cinema – now this wasn’t far off in 2011 but must do better!
• Watch the films I have on DVD that I have never actually seen
• Focus on old films with the year ending in 2 . . . 2002, 1992, 1982 etc
• Form top 10 lists with regards to the above challenge
• Catch up on films I missed in 2011
• Make more use of my LOVEFiLM subscription
• See more than 57 films at the cinema (2011′s total)

What about anyone else, any 2012 challenges?

Man on a Ledge

Now this one looks interesting and let’s be honest I am sick of seeing the trailer! I am looking forward to finding out exactly why a man is on the ledge!

The Woman in Black

Another which I have seen the trailer for a lot at the end of this year. It looks creepy and it’s always good to see Daniel Radcliffe away from Harry Potter and watching his progression as an actor.

The Vow

Yes I do have a soft spot for a bit of romance, and the Vow looks to have that in abundance. As Tatum must help McAdams remember who he is after an accident. I know it sounds corny but it sounds nice and I do like a bit of Channing Tatum as well!

Mirror Mirror

One of two Snow White based films to be released in 2012. I have opted for Mirror Mirror as the film I want to see the most out of the two of them. I am sure you can figure out why, because of my favorite Julia Roberts in the role of the Evil Queen!

The Hunger Games

In all honesty I don’t completely know what this is all about, but a friend of mine has read and loves the books. Which is an aim of mine before this comes out, yes you guessed it to read the books!

The Lucky One

I really do have such a soft spot for Nicholas Spark’s based films. They always seem to hit a nerve and really talk to me. Yes I am showing my romantic at heart side again with this choice. Plus throwing in Zac Efron makes me extra happy!

The Avengers

This film has probably has the longest build up, due to the fact 3 different films end ready for this one to begin! All linking together, which could not have been an easy task. But good in the way of building this film up even more and creating a big fan base and interest. What can be better than Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and more all teaming up together?

Men in Black III

Ok probably a very guilty pleasure really, but come on I was young when the first film came out and totally loved it. Didn’t really have the same love for the second film, but surely this will be quite a nice visit to some old friends? Well maybe, maybe not but we don’t have very long to find out.

Rock of Ages

A musical with rock songs and Catherine Zeta Jones . . . doesn’t really get any better than that so the rest of the cast are an added bonus really. This looks like it is going to be a good movie musical!

The Amazing Spider-Man

I have never been a big fan of the Spider-Man films, but now with the reboot and Andrew Garfield in the lead role it has very much caught my attention therefore making the list of films I am looking forward to in 2012. Garfield has looked impressive in his other roles, so I am very excited to see him take on this role.

The Dark Knight Rises

The end for Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy which is so sad, but at the same time we are just expecting so much from this film. After the brilliant Dark Knight which really blew everyone away, this one is going to be epic!

Skyfall

Bond is back for his 23rd official outing and my favorite Daniel Craig is Bond again! Hopefully this film can build on the ground work the previous two films have put down, but more like Casino Royale! We all know what to expect from 007 and rarely disappointed by his big screen outings!

Les Misérables

Being the musical geek that I am, seeing a big screen adaptation of Les Mis is just brilliant. Although I have not actually seen this one on the stage yet (terrible I know). I guess this gives me a short time to quickly see it on the stage before the film comes out!

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

It feels like forever waiting for this film, I know still pretty much a year but after the trailer being released last week it looks so good and is going to be well worth the wait. So excited to see this on the big screen, as I found the book to be just brilliant.