OK then, what can we say about Dreamgirls? Well it's the story of a trio of singers growing up in Detroit in the 50's and 60's and trying to make their way into the big time.
After trying out at many auditions, they bump into Curtis Taylor Jr (Jamie Foxx), who promises them the big time, but only if they start at the bottom and do backing vocals for James 'Thunder' Early, played by the inimitable Eddie Murphy, who is one of the saving graces for this movie. And yes he can really sing.
What follows is the story of how they progress from backing singers, to big time recording artists, charting the highs, the lows, the break ups and the getting back together again's.
It is a fairly predictable story, so much so that I guessed one of the characters would die, I shan't tell you which one though!
Beyoncé Knowles puts in a great performance as Deena Jones, who eventually becomes the lead singer of "The Dreams", but at the cost of a long friendship, as Effie White who clearly has the better voice is relegated to backing vocals. Effie is played by Jennifer Hudson and is a great singer and ideal for this part.
Other notable stars are Danny Glover, who plays Jimmy Early's first manager; Marty Madison. And Keith Robinson as C.C. White, Effie's Brother and The Dreams' songwriter. The third member of The Dreams is played by Anika Noni Rose who is the youngest member; Lorrell Robinson.
There's also a cameo appearance from John Lithgow.
Anyway, back to the movie, it is a film adaptation of a Broadway musical, and it started off OK, there was dialogue for the talking bits and there were songs where there should be singing, but then about a third of the way into the movie, it went all musical and they started to sing the dialogue, which spoilt it a bit for us. Yes, we should have been prepared for this, but when you have a music biopic, is there a real need to have sung dialogue as well? We get enough singing with the songs, surely?
Anyway, it is a good film, the storyline is a bit thin, but if you like R&B and soul music then it is a great one to watch. It also finishes as one would expect with a happy ending, but it takes awhile to get there.
Well worth a viewing if you haven't seen it, check out some trailers first though!
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
50 First Dates - 9th November 2010
Well, well, well, 50 First Dates lived up to the hype (people kept telling me it was a good film to watch) and it turned out to be a great movie, albeit with a slow start.
Henry Roth (Adam Sandler) is an aquatic Vet living in Hawaii, he is also a womaniser, praying on single women whilst they are on vacation. That is until he bumps into Lucy Whitmore (Drew Barrymore) in the local Diner. They fall for each other and plan to see each other in the Diner for breakfast the next morning. All seems to be going to plan, when the twist in this little tale becomes apparent.
About a year ago, Lucy and her Father were in a car accident, as a result Lucy suffered some brain damage, which presents itself as short-term memory loss.
For the last year, she has been waking up thinking everyday is October the 13th. She goes through each day, doing the same things, but when she goes to sleep, she wipes the days' memory from her mind and wakes up back at the same point.
This slightly farsical notion, is enhanced by her Father and Brother, ensuring that things are put back as they were, hiding copies of the paper for that day to stop her thinking it's any other day.
So, this memory loss makes the relationship with Henry everso difficult, he has fallen for her, but he has to make her fall in love with him again everyday, trying hard to break the spell, and every night Lucy forgets him. And so they continue, everyday, having their "50 First Dates".
OK, so the idea of short-term memory loss maybe slightly incredulous, she retains her long-term memory and remembers everything up to the day of the accident, it's after that, that presents the problem.
That's enough regarding the synopsis of the film, if the Groundhog Day / Chick-flick scenario intrigues you, then watch this film. It is a well written story (George Wing) and Sandler and Barrymore are ideal for their respective roles, ably supported by Rob Schneider and Sean Astin. Plus there's a cameo appearance from Dan Ackroyd as Lucys' doctor.
To be fair we really enjoyed this film, as I'm outnumbered by girls to the tune of 2 to 1, Chick-flicks and Rom-coms are always high on the list of films to watch, and I don't mind that too much, you can't beat a good laugh or cry*, and "50 First Dates" ticked those boxes.
* (Of course, I only laughed, no crying at movies for me, oh no...... what?)
Henry Roth (Adam Sandler) is an aquatic Vet living in Hawaii, he is also a womaniser, praying on single women whilst they are on vacation. That is until he bumps into Lucy Whitmore (Drew Barrymore) in the local Diner. They fall for each other and plan to see each other in the Diner for breakfast the next morning. All seems to be going to plan, when the twist in this little tale becomes apparent.
About a year ago, Lucy and her Father were in a car accident, as a result Lucy suffered some brain damage, which presents itself as short-term memory loss.
For the last year, she has been waking up thinking everyday is October the 13th. She goes through each day, doing the same things, but when she goes to sleep, she wipes the days' memory from her mind and wakes up back at the same point.
This slightly farsical notion, is enhanced by her Father and Brother, ensuring that things are put back as they were, hiding copies of the paper for that day to stop her thinking it's any other day.
So, this memory loss makes the relationship with Henry everso difficult, he has fallen for her, but he has to make her fall in love with him again everyday, trying hard to break the spell, and every night Lucy forgets him. And so they continue, everyday, having their "50 First Dates".
OK, so the idea of short-term memory loss maybe slightly incredulous, she retains her long-term memory and remembers everything up to the day of the accident, it's after that, that presents the problem.
That's enough regarding the synopsis of the film, if the Groundhog Day / Chick-flick scenario intrigues you, then watch this film. It is a well written story (George Wing) and Sandler and Barrymore are ideal for their respective roles, ably supported by Rob Schneider and Sean Astin. Plus there's a cameo appearance from Dan Ackroyd as Lucys' doctor.
To be fair we really enjoyed this film, as I'm outnumbered by girls to the tune of 2 to 1, Chick-flicks and Rom-coms are always high on the list of films to watch, and I don't mind that too much, you can't beat a good laugh or cry*, and "50 First Dates" ticked those boxes.
* (Of course, I only laughed, no crying at movies for me, oh no...... what?)
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Paul Blart - Mall Cop - 2nd November 2010
Tonight we take a look-see in to the cinematic cellar and delve deeper in to the DVD den and pull out; Paul Blart - Mall Cop!
Well I must confess that was a great movie! It was a cross between Die Hard and Scooby Doo! (Well almost).
The plot line follows the antics of Paul Blart a Security Officer at the local shopping mall. He has aspirations of becoming a State Trooper, but continually fails the entrance test. He suffers from hypoglycaemia, so ends up falling asleep all the time. And is generally ridiculed by all. So, we have sewn the seeds for the down trodden central character to become our hero!
The love interest in this movie comes from Amy (played by Jayma Mays), who runs a stall at the mall. Paul falls for her, but you know it's a relationship doomed to failure, unless Paul can do something remarkable. Cue the shopping mall being overtaken by a gang of crooks, taking Amy hostage in the process.
The crooks clear the shoppers from the mall and aim to take note of all the access codes, to all the credit card machines in the mall, thus making there millions.
Paul inadvertently gets caught in the now locked mall and so it's him versus the crooks! You see the Die Hard connection?
As usual there's no spoilers here so; will Paul get his woman? Will Paul save the day?
Watch it and find out.
It's 90 minutes of feelgood, family fun, with giggles all the way.
Well I must confess that was a great movie! It was a cross between Die Hard and Scooby Doo! (Well almost).
The plot line follows the antics of Paul Blart a Security Officer at the local shopping mall. He has aspirations of becoming a State Trooper, but continually fails the entrance test. He suffers from hypoglycaemia, so ends up falling asleep all the time. And is generally ridiculed by all. So, we have sewn the seeds for the down trodden central character to become our hero!
The love interest in this movie comes from Amy (played by Jayma Mays), who runs a stall at the mall. Paul falls for her, but you know it's a relationship doomed to failure, unless Paul can do something remarkable. Cue the shopping mall being overtaken by a gang of crooks, taking Amy hostage in the process.
The crooks clear the shoppers from the mall and aim to take note of all the access codes, to all the credit card machines in the mall, thus making there millions.
Paul inadvertently gets caught in the now locked mall and so it's him versus the crooks! You see the Die Hard connection?
As usual there's no spoilers here so; will Paul get his woman? Will Paul save the day?
Watch it and find out.
It's 90 minutes of feelgood, family fun, with giggles all the way.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
The Social Network - 26th October 2010
So, not a true Film Night tonight, instead we went to the cinema and watched a current release, which was; The Social Network. And what a cracking film it was!
The Social Network is based on the book by Ben Mezrich; "The Accidental Billionaires: Sex, Money, Betrayal and the Founding of Facebook". It stars; Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake and Rooney Mara and is based on the story of how, IT geek Mark Zuckerburg and his cohorts, who were studying at Harvard, manage to create the global phenomenon that is Facebook.
Although Mark Zuckerburg declined to be interviewed for the book, so I assume from the film also, the story is based on true events and studies the rise of the social site website from what was essentially a campus blog site, to global network with 500 million users.
It is a geeky film, some of the nerdy references maybe lost on those who are not au fait with some of the tech-speak, but the story is gripping and we swap back and forth between historical events and present judicial hearings where Zuckerburg is being sued for his delaings. Although the hearings were concluded and settlements made, I was left guessing as to whether Zuckerburg was guilty of some of the accusations made, was he just a misunderstood coding genius who had a great idea, or did he steal the idea from somebody else?.
Well worth a watch. If not at the cinema, then wait for the DVD release.
Book and DVD links;
The Social Network is based on the book by Ben Mezrich; "The Accidental Billionaires: Sex, Money, Betrayal and the Founding of Facebook". It stars; Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake and Rooney Mara and is based on the story of how, IT geek Mark Zuckerburg and his cohorts, who were studying at Harvard, manage to create the global phenomenon that is Facebook.
Although Mark Zuckerburg declined to be interviewed for the book, so I assume from the film also, the story is based on true events and studies the rise of the social site website from what was essentially a campus blog site, to global network with 500 million users.
It is a geeky film, some of the nerdy references maybe lost on those who are not au fait with some of the tech-speak, but the story is gripping and we swap back and forth between historical events and present judicial hearings where Zuckerburg is being sued for his delaings. Although the hearings were concluded and settlements made, I was left guessing as to whether Zuckerburg was guilty of some of the accusations made, was he just a misunderstood coding genius who had a great idea, or did he steal the idea from somebody else?.
Well worth a watch. If not at the cinema, then wait for the DVD release.
Book and DVD links;
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Me, Myself and Irene - 19th October 2010
Tonights' celluloid selection, is the Farrelly Brothers' movie; "Me, Myself and Irene", with Jim Carrey and Renee Zellweger.
Well, what can I say about this film? It was very crude and rude, with quite a lot of swearing and cursing! We loved it!!
Laugh out loud stuff, Jim Carrey at his inimitable best and Renee Zellweger at her cutest.
The film follows the story of Charlie (Carrey) who is a police officer with the Rhode Island Police Force. After 18 years of taking abuse and being laughed at, he finally flips and turns schizophrenic, with his alter ego; Hank being everything that Charlie isn't.
What ensues is a road trip with a difference as Hank / Charlie and Irene (Zellweger) are on the run from the (crooked) FBI.
I won't go into the plot too much, as it's best to watch it, but there is a gag every minute and a laugh out loud moment every 5. At one point I was in tears, I won't spoil it, but a police officer falls foul (fowl) of a chicken!
We're not the biggest Jim Carrey fans, so were concerned that the over animated comedy from Carrey would over shadow the film, but it was actually perfect for the story and ideal for the schizophrenic character.
Great film!
Well, what can I say about this film? It was very crude and rude, with quite a lot of swearing and cursing! We loved it!!
Laugh out loud stuff, Jim Carrey at his inimitable best and Renee Zellweger at her cutest.
The film follows the story of Charlie (Carrey) who is a police officer with the Rhode Island Police Force. After 18 years of taking abuse and being laughed at, he finally flips and turns schizophrenic, with his alter ego; Hank being everything that Charlie isn't.
What ensues is a road trip with a difference as Hank / Charlie and Irene (Zellweger) are on the run from the (crooked) FBI.
I won't go into the plot too much, as it's best to watch it, but there is a gag every minute and a laugh out loud moment every 5. At one point I was in tears, I won't spoil it, but a police officer falls foul (fowl) of a chicken!
We're not the biggest Jim Carrey fans, so were concerned that the over animated comedy from Carrey would over shadow the film, but it was actually perfect for the story and ideal for the schizophrenic character.
Great film!
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
The Core - 12th October 2010
Tuesday night has come around again and the film for tonight is; The Core.
After a series of strange events around the world connected by variances in the Earth's electromagnetic field, scientists, led by Dr. Josh Keyes (Aaron Eckhart) and Conrad Zimsky (Stanley Tucci), discover that the Earth's molten core is slowly coming to a stop; without its rotation, the electromagnetic field around the earth will disappear, exposing the surface to the unfiltered solar radiation and will incinerate anything or anyone exposed to it. Keyes and Zimsky are charged to find a way to restart the core, which will require traveling deep into the Earth and setting off nuclear charges to induce rotational force.
OK that's was the synopsis of the film, in reality this one was maybe a little too far fetched for me. Yes, it's science fiction, yes, it's a disaster movie, but;
The Earths' core stops spinning?
A Space Shuttle lands in downtown LA?
They build a nuclear drill out of "Unobtainium"?
The Golden Gate bridge melts?
However, having said that and giving it the benefit of the doubt, I enjoyed this film and for several reasons, for one although I'm not a big sci-fi fan, this film kept me gripped and shouting encouragement at the screen! I wanted them to make it!
Also, it was funny, not intentionally, but there were parts where we all burst out laughing, mainly at absurdity of some of the ideas. Thousands of pigeons in Trafalgar Square losing their bearings and flying into buildings, cars and buses!
OK, so it was over the top and reality was like the Earths Core; a long way away, but it entertained, it held us, it scared us, it sucked us in. Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank played their roles with aplomb.
All a bit weird, all a bit strange, but worth a look, if you get the chance.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
The Wedding Planner - 5th October 2010
Tonight we have The Wedding Planner, starring Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey.
Well, as romantic comedies go, this one ticks all the boxes. For the ladies, you have the chiselled good looks of Matthew McConaughey and his Southern drawl accent all the way through the film. And for the lads there is bea-butt-iful Jennifer Lopez being rather serene playing the lead role of the Wedding Planner.
The storyline is pretty much as you'd expect;
Wedding Planner accidentily and unknowingly falls for the Groom.
The Groom sticks with the Bride.
The Wedding Planner ends up going to marry someone else for no good reason.
And then.............
Well, if you haven't seen it, then I shan't spoil it.
At the end of the day, we liked this film, there's some good laugh out loud moments, it was filmed on location in San Francisco, so bought back memories of our recent holiday and there's a happy ending! Whoops, have I said too much?
You'll enjoy the film if you get chance to see it.
Well, as romantic comedies go, this one ticks all the boxes. For the ladies, you have the chiselled good looks of Matthew McConaughey and his Southern drawl accent all the way through the film. And for the lads there is bea-butt-iful Jennifer Lopez being rather serene playing the lead role of the Wedding Planner.
The storyline is pretty much as you'd expect;
Wedding Planner accidentily and unknowingly falls for the Groom.
The Groom sticks with the Bride.
The Wedding Planner ends up going to marry someone else for no good reason.
And then.............
Well, if you haven't seen it, then I shan't spoil it.
At the end of the day, we liked this film, there's some good laugh out loud moments, it was filmed on location in San Francisco, so bought back memories of our recent holiday and there's a happy ending! Whoops, have I said too much?
You'll enjoy the film if you get chance to see it.
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