The Lovely bones

All hail the return of the king

Pater Jackson's return to directing comes in the form of a literary adaptation about the murder of a 14 year old girl, so definitely more Heavenly creatures than Lord of the rings!!

The story follows Suzie Salmon, a 14 year old that is abducted and killed. She then spends her afterlife in unique limbo where she can see the breakdown of her family as they try and come to terms with the death of their first born child.

The film has recieved mixed reviews, with some fans of ALice Sebolds novel turning on Jackson's film as being a simplistic, romantic view of a very sinister story. As someone who hasnt read the book I cant compare the two, but i think the film is fantastic. It may well be a movie that splits opinions, but Jacksons beautiflly crafted vision of Salmons death experience, and Mark Wahlbergs portrayal of her broken father make this an emotional rollercoaster.

It definitely has its more sinister parts aswell, and Stanley Tuccis portrayal of the serial killer George Harvey is difficult to watch, especially where he lures Suzie Salmon into the hole he has built and to her death

Overall I think Jackson gets the balance between the grief and breakdown of a family and mourning and the megical afterlife that makes this an uplifting tale of a young girls spirit desperate to be set free. The cast help him no end, with tbe brilliant Saoirse Ronan leading the way. This is definitely a film fans of peter Jackson will want to see

4/5

Up in the air

Up in the air is the brand new film from writer director Jason Reitman

If the name sounds familiar its because it should be, son of comedy legend Ivan Reitman, Jason made massive waves with his last indie hit Juno and is set to make similar lunar based water movements with this

The story is one which is very current and will resonate with most of us. During the current economic downturn Ryan Bingham is a man employed to terminate others peoples employment! He basically flys around and tells people they are fired. Not only is he very good at it, but he liked the lifestyle afforded by all the air travel and living out of a suitcase that he is currently counting down until he reaches his millionth air mile!!

The script balances subtle comedy and harsh reality to create the first big hit of the year. The reason the film works so well though is because of the undoubted talent and chemistry of the principle cast. George Clooney looks like this role was made for him and Vera Farmiga makes a perfect air travel booty call for him.

The real star of the film though is Anna Kendrick. Fresh from her supporting role in the Twilight films, she is brilliant as the uber-confident business woman Natalie Keener, who always seems on the verge of a breakdown!!

Overall this films works as a whole package, script, performances music and direction. For me its the first of hopefully many great films and 2010 and the first to start the oscar dudes getting excited!!

5/5

Avatar

Strap yourself in for the most eagerly anticpated films of the year, and probably the decade

Its seems like forever since James Camerons last film (Titanic, 1997) and yes it was a long time, but to be fair, its not like he has done nothing!!

Aswell as his tv series Dark Angel and his 3d trip beneath the waves for Ghosts of the Abyss, He has obvioudly poured his heart and soul into his latest project

Sigourney Weaver recently revealed that Cameron had talked about Avatar when they first met over 20 years agfo, but the films was so big he needed better technology to do it justice. Rather than sit around and wait for that technology, Since Titanic Cameron has pioneered new 3d technology which really enhances his new film

Avatar really is the most visually stunning films ever made. The planet of Pandora is the most picturesque world ever created, with a dark underbelly in the form of the local flora and fauna!!

Although all these stunning visuals could be a cover for a paper thin plot and weak acting, but that definitely isnt the case here. Sam Wrthington lands the lead role (another fantastic character for him after his turn in Terminator Salvation) as Jake Sully, a wheelchair bound marine, who after the death of his brother is sent to Pandora to replace him. He uses his new "Avatar", a genetically engineered native body to get close to the natives. He is then left with a moral dilemma over which side to choose in the impending war between humans and the Na'vi.

So a fantastic cast and a fantastic plot, if carlrsberg did movies eh?

Well possibly. Even the 3d doesnt feel forced. Sometimes I feel 3d films tend to use it as a gimick, but in Avatar it blends seemlessly with the story-telling. The forest also privdes the perfect depth required for the 3d to really make you feel like you are in the thick of the action!!

Sigourney weaver, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Michelle Rodriguez and in particular Zoe Saldana all play fantastic supporting roles in this brilliant ensemble cast

The fact that this film will be shown over the xmas period means it could quite possibly be the best thing in both 2009 and 2010. Someone is going to hafve to go a long way to top this

I would advise EVERYONE to go see this film!! if you dont see this in the cinema with full 3d you will definitely regret it

5/5

Where the wild things are

One of the more interesting films of the year

An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, where Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world--a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler

Adapted and directed by Spike Jonze, the legendary music video director whose credits include Beastie Boys - Sabotage, Bjork - it's oh so quiet and Weezer - Buddy Holly. His step up to the big screen has been just as eclectic with the sublime to the ridiculous (Jackass and Being John Malkovich, you pick which is which)

As you may expect then the film is visually stunning, and the choise to use the live action rather than complete cgio characters helps both aesthitically and from the actors performance point of view

My one dissapointment from this film is that it doesnt seem to be able to make up ist mind as to whether its a kids film or an adults film. which is fine i guess, but being based on a childs book, the films isnt very child friendly.On the flip side I enjoyed the film, but ive never read the book, so wouldnt know how different it is

That aside, I think there are some great performances from the lieks of James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, and Forrest Whittaker, and what the film lacks in plot it makes up for in charm.

well worth a watch

4/5