ANOTHER CINDERELLA STORY by Damon Santostefano

Most of you will hate this film, probably best to say that now.

There isn’t anything particularly challenging about it. It’s fluffy rubbish.

But I loved it. In many ways it was similar to the original - A Cinderella Story, but mostly in the way it is similar to most romantic comedies. It has the girl meets boy, there are reasons why they can’t be together, there are people trying to stop them from being together but in the end he makes her life better by being with her.

Like I said, there is no challenge.

Mary is the maid of a nasty woman, Dominique. Dominique (played hilariously by Jane Lynch who has been in various things including 40 year old Virgin) is also her guardian. Mary loves to dance and is actually fantastic dancer. She meets a famous dancer, singer who she falls for and who falls for her at a masquerade ball. But do they get together? Does she get away from her nasty boss/guardian? Does she get the chance to dance?

If you know the genre (even if you don’t) you will know the answer to all those questions. But you might still enjoy the ride.

It stars Selena Gomez, who is believed to be the next Miley Cyrus. Also, random fact Marcus T. Paulk stars in it, he was the cute little brother with big ears from Moesha.

If you like simple films or love dancing films like Step Up or Take the Lead or have a young youth group you might want to watch this. Otherwise probably best avoided. You’ll only end up moaning about it.

Rated: 4 out of 5
It made me smile and was a good way to spend 90mins.

EDWARD SCISSORHANDS by Tim Burton

This film was not what I was expecting. It’s one that has been highly rated by others, people have talked about it for many years, not just because it was one of Johnny Depp’s earlier films. It is one of the films that has helped to make him the very bankable star he is today.

It starts with an old lady telling a story of an invention who is in many ways like a real man. This invention is called Edward, he is alive like a real person but he is an incomplete invention with scissors for hands. He also has the innocence and naivety of someone who hasn’t grown up in the real world. A lady goes to the disused castle where he lives and she ends up adopting him into her family and neighbourhood. But can a man with child-like innocence with blades for hands survive in the real world?

The story was filmed like a fairytale, with vivid colours and strange scenery. The houses were in pastels and the characters were a little bit odd. The suburban feel of the neighbourhood was mixed with odd outfits, even odder haircuts but yet some typical teenage behaviour. It was an interesting mixture of different worlds and this reflected the different worlds of Edward Scissorhands and that of the family that take him in.

There were moments of laughter, sadness, joy, anxiety. These mixed with elements of romance, drama and suspense (well for me anyway). It was also very dark.

So that’s the film fan thoughts. But what did I really think of the film?

Well, it was incredible. I was really surprised by how much I liked it. Quirky films aren’t always my thing. Films by Tim Burton are usually just too weird for me. But this was lovely, it showed ideas about being kind-hearted, about not judging others about how awful the world around us can be.

It also displayed some fine acting by Johnny Depp. It is easy to see how be has become the brilliant actor and bankable star he is now.

So, what do I think about this film? It’s fantastic, it’s emotional, it’s a bizarre but awesome and a little bit complex.

I rate it five out of five.
See it but don’t expect it to be just a simple film that won’t make you think. It has fluffiness but it also has depth.

SUNSHINE - director Danny Boyle

Danny Boyle is a top director, the man of the moment (well, some say he had his moment before with Trainspotting). Anyway, this is a man who may win his FIRST Academy Award in a week or two. He directs a diverse catalogue of films, so what about this one?

As you read this you have to realise that I'm not normally a sci-fi fan. I like easy to understand sci-fi, the stuff that is the world as we know it but with a bit of mystery or with slight differences. I'm talking about things like X-Files and Lost. Admittedly these are tv programmes but hopefully using them as an example will explain what I mean.

So then, how come I liked Sunshine (and I did like it)? Especially as someone had kind of already told me the ending.

Well, there was mystery, struggle, suffering for the good of others and fantastic music. The characters were interesting. There were less of them as the film went on, which thankfully made it easier to get to know their individual ways and made it a lot less confusing.

The cinematography was superb and the cuts of random faces spliced into the general scenes added intrigue. It even made me pause repeatedly on my DVD player to try and gain understanding of what was happening.

But there is something that stops the film that has moments of greatness being truly monumental. Well, afterwards I was more confused than when I watched Donny Darko. Some of the cinematography hurt my head more than watching the shaky camera work of Blair Witch and that's saying something. And sometimes I couldn't have cared less about characters that I think I was meant to like.

so, my rating:

4 out of 5 - watch it, you might something a bit weird that wasn't quite a box office smash. At the least it will give you something to think and talk about.

Be Kind Rewind

I have to be honest, in my opinion it was rubbish.

I'm sure some people will have loved it, I in fact didn't.

It was an interesting idea, but could it carry the whole film? NO

If you like Jack Black then you might like it, he does some of his typical "I'm playing a guitar like I did in School of Rock", being funny but always getting in the way, making little comments type thing. But it still didn't make it great. Wasted abilities by the once memorable Danny Glover.

It was just boring and smaltzy at the end (but not in a good way).

It was just a bit painful and a bit pointless. I give it a 1 out of 5. Don't bother unless you are really bored, even then there is a lot better stuff around.

New Start

Hi all

I am such a lazy blogger, but I love films.

I love cheesy rubbish that when your studying film you're ashamed to mention. I love drama's that make you think. I love teen films, even though I'm not a teen. I love Pedro Almodovar, comedies, chick flicks, films of tv shows, indie films and everything else in between.

So this is where I'm going to put my thoughts about films I've seen. I've seen loads since I have started this blog so there will be lots to talk about.

Please keep looking, you may not agree but you might still find it interesting.
Becky