Attack the Block

The Synopsis
It's an alien invasion in a place we have yet to see, in a South London block of flats. The aliens have met their match with a bunch of teenage kids from London who will protect their block, no matter what it takes.

The review
Oh my days. Dude, you simply HAVE to see this movie. I know that a film has got me hooked when the next day it is all I can think about.

I saw the trailer for this film a while ago and thought immediately that I have to see this film. I didn't really know how I would take it though. But then the film came out and with it the reviews were outstanding. This peaked my interest as I couldn't see how such a bizarre and low-funded film could make that much of an impact, but then I saw it and now I know. It was immense.

Being a girl that lives in London, I immediately related to the characters. I am definitely not streetwise enough to ever pull off being anything like them but you can't go anywhere around this area without bumping into someone just like them. There's not many alien films where I can genuinely say, that was actually really realistic!! I'm not kidding, if aliens were to attack South London, that would totally be how it would pan out.

The film was fresh, new and simply awesome. The writing was perfect for it's setting and the main gang of kids totally stole the show.

One thing I wondered about prior to seeing the film was whether it would be nearly as good to anyone who doesn't live in London. After seeing it though, I really don't think it matters. The film was so well put together that an outsider might very well think it a little strange but by the end would be so wrapped up in it, it wouldn't matter.

All the main actors in the groups of boys were awesome but I need to take a moment to marvel at the genius that was one of them. His name is Alex Esmail and he played the character 'Pest.' I absolutely loved him. Almost everything that came out of his mouth was freakin hilarious and if he isn't immediately snapped up for another film then there is something seriously wrong with this world.

It was pure alien invasion science fiction classic with a new twist that was refreshing and very enjoyable. But overall, on top of absolutely everything else, it was FUNNY. Really really funny.

I really don't know what else to say except Nick Frost was his normal awesome self throughout and the Writer and Director Joe Cornish is officially my favourite person this month.

GO AND SEE IT AND THEN TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO DO THE SAME. I've officially roped everyone I came into contact with at work today to make it their priority, now I'm doing the same to you.

That is all. No review can do it justice, it needs to be experienced to fully understand. I'm already making plans to see it again.

An unsurprising 5 faces from me.

Water for Elephants

The Synopsis
Just as Jacob (Robert Pattinson)is about to take his exam to make him a registered Veterinarian he is told that both his parents have died in a car accident. Distraught and without a place to call home he leaves town and jumps on a circus train. The Ringmaster of the circus, August (Christoph Waltz) takes a liking to him and hires him as the Circus's vet. It is here that he meets August's wife, the beautiful Marlena (Reece Witherspoon) and learns the trials and joy that is life in the 1930's circus.

The Review
Four months ago I saw this trailer for a film called Water for Elephants and was immediately taken aback by the imagery. Two days later I bought the book and had finished it before the week was out. The book simply blew me away.

Since then I have been waiting rather impatiently for this film and finally tonight I got to watch it. Let me tell you now, if you're wondering over the next month what film you'd like to see... choose this one.

Let's get the obvious bit out of the way first. It almost doesn't need to be said because any hardcore RPatz fans will probably be set on seeing this anyway, but for all you who love him, you will not be disappointed. It is definitely something to help take the edge off the long wait till November for Breaking Dawn.

But I want to say this to those who aren't fans of his. This is not just a film for people to swoon over Robert Pattinson. Please do not be disheartened from seeing it for that reason. Yes, he's in it and yes, when he first came onto the screen there was an excited gasp from a large population of the female viewers in the cinema, but this film is so much more than that. It's beautiful and magical and shows both the glamourous and not so glamourous life of the 1930's Circus.

Reece Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz are both amazing in this film. Christoph Waltz played August so well, they couldn't have cast anyone better.

For those who are going in to see it having read the book. Never fear people, they are very true to the book! The only large change they have made is by making August the Ringmaster and getting rid of the book's Ringmaster (Uncle Al) altogether. I've got to admit though, for the film it made sense. There were some slight differences in the storyline nearer the end due to this change but they find their way back again and keep all the best parts from the book in the film.

It's very well done and captures the heart of the story beautifully. Please people, see this film, it's one to watch! Not to mention the Elephant (Rosie) in it is adorable.

Now I said previously in my review for Never let me go that I would be a lot more stingy with my five faces and only reward films with that marking if it touched me as much as that film had. This isn't on the same level but at the same time, the idea of giving it any less doesn't seem right. So for completely gorgeous reasons that made me smile inside and out I'm going to dust off my five faces and give it to this film. It's not perfect but then again, I don't think I'll ever find a film as amazing as Never let me go was so it would be unfair to tarnish this film for that reason alone.

Thor

The Synopsis
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is set to be the next in line to the throne of Asgard. However, his head strong attitude and his selfish nature land him in danger. He needs to find the true attitude of a king before he can ever continue. His journey takes him to Earth and into the life of Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), but will he ever find what it takes to truly be a king?

The Review
Okay, I'm going to be honest. I went to see this film for two reasons: 1. It had Natalie Portman in it and 2. I was outvoted in terms of what my other friends wanted to see.

I wasn't exactly excited at the prospect of seeing this one as I'd seen one too many bad Marvel movies in the past but I've got to say, this one was pretty awesome!

It was very well written with some comedy gems in there that had the whole cinema laughing and although there was a lot of content to cover in the movie, it kept a fast pace and in turn kept me entertained.

What impressed me the most however, was the imagery. Moments like the transition from Earth to Asgard were amazing and the whole of how Asgard was set out simply rocked. I loved the attention that had gone into the detail of this world. Every part of this moving and magical city had been meticulously planned out and it showed. I actually left the cinema hoping and praying that such a place existed so that I could go there and sit on their golden furniture and where really uncomfortable metal clothing that probably chafed like a bitch when you walked.

It was inviting, the whole film just sucked you in and you had to be a part of it. I loved it.

And yes, Natalie Portman was once again in another film. That woman literally has not stopped working for what seems like a millennium to get all the films that she's done in. She was, of course, amazing as was Chris Hemsworth who managed to jump from serious to comical and then back again in the space of one scene and with such ease I had to tip my metaphorical hat at him.

All in all, a very good Marvel film and one I will most definitely be going to see the sequel of. Four happy faces from me.