Happy-Go-Lucky

Happy-Go-Lucky is a cheerful and up-lifting film about a 30-year-old primary school teacher from Camden, North London.

Poppy, played by Sally Hawkins (Vera Drake and Layer Cake) is an irresponsible but, loveable character who is always laughing, joking and trying to make other people smile.

The plot is very simple but, very effective as we follow Poppy through her day-to-day activities of teaching, socialising and learning to drive.

Through these activities, Poppy unknowingly finds herself on a path of self discovery and realisation.

She decides to learn to drive after having her bike stolen and her driving instructor couldn’t possibly be more different in character to her.

Scott (played by Eddie Marsan, Vera Drake, The Illusionist) is an unstable, slightly psychotic man with opinions and a life style that completely oppose Poppy’s. Poppy tries her best to engage with him, make him smile and make him happy but, she realises that she can’t help everyone.

Happy-Go-Lucky is a beautiful representation of London life and the varying people that live there.

It is a wonderfully British film full of laughs and British humour, it should not be missed.

You will leave the cinema with a smile on your face and the idea that everyone should have a friend like Poppy.

Diary of the Dead

George. A. Romero, director of The Night of the Living Dead, brings us yet another zombie movie with the release of Diary of the Dead.

The film takes us with a group of film students as they film a horror movie and capture more than they bargained for as they run into some ‘real-life’ zombies.

Hand held camera techniques are used a lot throughout the film, which is fine if you want to add realism but, this is a zombie movie we’re talking about so the effect doesn’t really work.

The plot is rather silly and the zombie attacks are quite ridiculous, which would be fine for a 1960’s horror but, as a modern audience we expect more from our zombie movies.

There is only so much you can do with a cast of zombies and Romero has taken it to the limits.

Train drivers to protest at British film premiere

TRAIN DRIVERS have reacted badly to the upcoming release of British film Three and Out starring Mackenzie Crook, and plan to protest at the UK premiere.

Crook (I Want Candy, Pirates of the Caribbean) stars in the comedy as a train driver looking for a volunteer to commit suicide under his train so he can claim compensation.

Aslef, the train drivers union, has criticised the film for its focus and union members plan to hand out leaflets outside the premiere in London’s Leicester Square.

The leaflets will read: “We hope you enjoy the movie tonight, but please remember that for train drivers like ourselves, deaths on the railway are never funny.”

They say they have received strong support from the public over their opposition to the film. General secretary Keith Norman said: “These incidents can mean life-changing traumas for drivers.”

The film’s distributors have defended and say that the issues were “handled sensitively”.

Crook said that he was disappointed that people were jumping to conclusions.

“They’re imagining we’ve made a very distasteful, bad-taste film, which we haven’t,” he said while promoting Three and Out in central London.

“Hopefully those people who have objected will go and see it and realise they have got the wrong end of the stick.”

The film is due for release on 25th April.

Son of Rambow

Set in England in the early 80’s, Son of Rambow, is a touching story about the friendship of two young boys who couldn’t be more different from one another.

Will (played by Bill Milner) is a quiet and well-behaved boy from a family that belongs to the Plymouth Brethren religious sect. He isn’t allowed to watch television and is sent out of the class when his teacher puts a video on. It is then that he meets Lee Carter (played by Will Poulter) who has been sent out of class once again for bad behaviour.

The two boys get into trouble and Lee manipulates Will and promises to take the blame and punishment if he will help him out. Will takes the bait and agrees to help Lee with his film.

Will then sees a pirate copy of Rambo: First Blood at Lee’s house and from then on the boys throw themselves into making an action film.

The journey Lee and Will make together is both comical and emotional. The boys realise how much they need eachother as they fall into their unconventional friendship. Their experiences change the lives of not only themselves but of their friends and family too.

Son of Rambow is a beautiful film expressing how people can be friends despite their differences.

Horton Hears a Who

From the makers of Ice Age, Horton Hears a Who, based on the 1954 book by Dr. Seuss, is a wonderful tale for kids young and old.The film tells the story of Horton the elephant (played by Jim Carrey), who is kind at heart and full of good will, and his adventure to save the people of ‘Whoville.’

We follow Horton as he begins to hear little voices coming from a speck of dust on top of a flower one day in the Jungle of Nool. He tries to convince the rest of the jungle inhabitants that there is life on this speck of dust but, is met with torment and ridicule and a threat from the bossy Kangaroo (played by Carol Burnett) to put it out of his mind.

Horton doesn’t let this stop him, he takes it upon himself to save the Mayor of Whoville (played by Steve Carell) and his people by finding them a new, safer home.

The film is full of fun as Horton tries to fulfill his promise to the residents of Whoville. The animation is clear and colourful and the characters are zany which makes an interesting and entertaining watch. The film reminds us ‘A person’s a person no matter how small.’

An Irish victory, but only just.

Ireland V Italy was the first match to kick off the 2008 RBS Six Nations at Croke Park in Dublin. Ireland were under a lot of pressue to get their reputation back on track after a disappointing world cup last year.

The final score was 16-11 to Ireland, a victory for the greens but, not a spectacular performance. They came on strong in the first half, playing heavily in Italy's territory and having several near-try misses. O'Gara, Dempsey and man of the match, Reddan, all put in strong performances but, it wasn't enough to notch up the tries.

The second half saw Italy come back with more power but, it wasn't enough to overtake Ireland, who held on to their minimal lead.

Ireland are going to really have to pull something amazing out of the bag for their next match against France if they are to prove themselves to be a side to be reckoned with once again.

Congratulations to Wales who made a spectacular comeback against England. After a mediocre start, they came back with avengence in the last part of the game, pulling off a 26-19 win

Wow...what a film!

One of the best Burton and Depp collaborations I have seen, Sweeney Todd (based on the Broadway musical) definately doesn't disappoint.

With echoes of Sleepy Hollow and Edward Scissorhands, Tim Burton brings a new layer of darkness to the tale of Mr. Todd. There is an abundance of blood and gore, so perhaps not a film for the faint hearted.

Burton makes his mark on the film from the outset, it is unmistakebly one of his works as it is filled with the foggy, eerie atmosphere that Burton does best. He has once again reinforced his auteur status as a director.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a musical that tells of a barber (Benjamin Barker later known as Sweeney Todd- played by Johnny Depp) who is wrongly accussed of a crime and is separated from his beloved wife and daughter. He later returns to London for revenge against Judge Turpin (played by Alan Rickman) who was responsible for ruining Barker/Todd's life. His revenge takes the form of a series of brutal murders in his re-established Barber shop which is conveniently placed above a pie shop owned by Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter), who is in love with Todd and becomes his partner in crime.

Depp's performance as Todd is outstanding and well deserving of the Oscar nomination he has recieved for best actor. Depp and Carter have brilliant on-screen chemistry and prove to be an extremely entertaining duo. They are perfect for the roles and even their singing ability doesn't disappoint.

Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall and Sacha Baron Cohen are excellent as three of the film's 'baddies'. Rickman and Spall are definately characters that the audience will love to hate.

It's not surprising that the film raked in a estimated 4.5million pounds in it's first weekend, It is a cinematic experience that shouldn't be passed up. It is a gripping adaptation from start to finish with some interesting twists along the way.

So whether you know the story of Sweeny Todd or not...GO AND SEE IT NOW, I guarantee you won't regret it!