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