Slumdog Millionaire cinema review

Danny Boyle has really pulled out all the stops with this one and Slumdog Millionaire is definitely everything it has been made out to be and more.

Dev Patel stars as Jamal Malik, a teenage boy from the slums in Mumbai who finds his way onto the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and steams his way through the questions, getting all the answers right and racking up the prize money.

His ability to answer each question causes some suspicion and Jamal is accused of cheating and is arrested and questioned about how he is doing it because people just can’t accept that a slumdog could know all the answers.

Jamal’s interrogation takes us on a journey through the sadness, difficulties and challenges that he has faced in life and we discover how his life experiences have imprinted certain information in his memory which allows him to answer the Millionaire questions.

We discover that there is one special person, a girl called Latika (Freida Pinto), who has been in Jamal’s heart through thick and thin and his love for her drives him on whether she is around him or not. He is determined to find her each time they are separated but, will Jamal get to keep the girl he loves?

Dev Patel is brilliant in his portrayal of Jamal; he gives a flawless and moving performance and is bound to be heading for a great film career in future (well it’s not as if he can disappear after the huge success of Slumdog).

Slumdog Millionaire is an innovative and refreshing concept, it is a gripping film with lots of emotion and the right amount of light humour. This is one film that everyone should try and see, even if it’s just to find out if it lives up to the hype; it is definitely not to be missed.

The Wrestler cinema review

The Wrestler has been credited as Mickey Rourke’s come-back film and he probably couldn’t have picked a better role to kick-start his career again and re-establish himself as a Hollywood face.

Randy ‘the Ram’ Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was a huge wrestling star in the 80’s and created quite a reputation for himself, now though, as an aging wrestler, he is only involved in rematches and makes a pittance from it.

Randy has a heart attack after one of his matches and this makes him wake up and realise what he should be doing in life. He becomes full-time in a grocery store and tries to make amends with the daughter he abandoned all those years before. He also tries to pursue his love interest, a stripper called Cassidy (Marisa Tomei) who he has held a torch for as her customer for quite some time.

When things start to fall apart for him again, Randy just can’t resist the opportunity for a fight with his 1980’s arch-enemy, The Ayatollah, in hope that it might take him back to the top.

The Wrestler is a moving film with a documentary and natural feel to it; there’s lots of hand held camera use and sound effects and sound tracks are in the minimum, giving it a very ‘real’ style that works well with the film’s themes.

Mickey Rourke puts in an excellent and touching performance as Randy and he makes the characters journey a fascinating watch. The Wrestler has the ability to appeal to a very wide audience and is very deserving of its recent award nominations.

Halle Berry in new heist film

Variety have announced that Halle Berry has been attached to star in heist film ‘Who is Doris Payne.’

It is a fact-based film about an international jewel thief with a career spanning five decades.

The film will be scripted by Eunetta Boone and developed by J2 partners Justin Berfield and Jason Felts.

No further information has currently been released and no filming dates have been announced.

Elton John's Jane Austen adaptation

According to Variety, Elton John’s Rocket Pictures is set to make a Jane Austen adaptation like you’ve never seen before.

Will Clark will direct ‘Pride and Predator’ which will see an alien crash landing amongst the Austen characters and causing havoc and disruption in the costume drama setting.

Elton John will be executive producer and will supervise the film’s music, his Rocket partners Steve Hamilton Shaw and David Furnish will be producing.

It is likely that this alien twist will attract more of a male audience to the period drama.

It is thought that filming will begin in London later on this year.

Lost in Austen heads to the big screen

BBC News have reported that the ITV hit drama Lost in Austen is set to be remade for the cinema by the acclaimed Sam Mendes.

The series told the story of an avid Jane Austen fan who found herself swapping places with characters from the books and entering the world created by Austen.

Sam Mendes, who recently directed and produced the hit film Revolutionary Road starring Kate Winslet, is on board to produce the Lost in Austen remake and writer of the original series, Guy Andrews, will pen the screenplay.

No cast has yet been attached to the film.

Michael McIntyre to host new comedy series on BBC

Sell-out stand-up comedian Michael McIntyre is to host a brand new series for BBC One where he takes to the road visiting well-known venues around the UK, showcasing the very best in stand-up.

Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow will feature both up and coming stand-up acts as well as established artists who will headline each show.

The series of six half hours will be hosted by Michael from venues in Edinburgh, Belfast, Manchester, Cardiff, Brighton and Newcastle.

Mark Linsey, Controller, BBC Entertainment Commissioning, said: "Michael is a rising star and we're delighted that, following the success of Live At The Apollo, he's taking stand-up out on the road for us to showcase the very best in established and brand new comedy acts."

Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow is an Open Mike Manchester production for BBC One, commissioned by Mark Linsey, Controller, BBC Entertainment Commissioning and Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC One.

Courtesy of BBC Press Release

The best and worst valentine and date movies

February is upon us and with it comes a day we dare not forget....yes, you guessed it... Valentines day is here again.

With love in the air and sweet nothings on the breeze, I wanted to find out just which films would be a hit with the ladies this valentines and which films they love to cosy up to with that special someone.

Romantic comedies are the obvious film of choice for this time of year but, do the ladies agree? Kayleigh Jones, 18, thinks romantic comedies are the perfect choice, she said: "even though they’re usualy girly, there’s at least something in there for the guys but, there aren’t many movies that appeal to both genders that could be deemed romantic." and Lisa Matthews, 23, feels the same, saying: "Romantic comedy...comedy for him and romance for me," but, it seems that rom-coms would not be the first choice for all women.

Becky Gant, 21, said: "The best genre would be period dramas, stuff like Pride and Prejudice is always really romantic because of it’s setting," but Maria Hooper, 21, would prefer an action: "I think a chick flick would be the usual date film as it has romance in it. But personally I would find it quite uncomfortable as I would know that the male would not enjoy it - especially my partner. But something such as a ‘light’ action film that both of you enjoy would be acceptable."

Kate Bowles, 23, and Charlotte Hayden, 22, have other ideas and think a horror would be better. Kate said: "I agree with horror though. I’ve always thought that was a good genre of film for a date - gives you an excuse to act scared so that he puts his arm around you."

Comedy is a good option according to Hannah Sullivan, 23, Deb Harford, 23 and Laura Dowling, 20. Hannah said: "A comedy is definitely the best to see because then you can laugh together and remember the jokes afterwards. Plus it keeps the other half interested."

So with the best genres sorted it was time to turn to the worst and what women would really hate to watch on valentines or on a date. Maria said: "I think the worst film to watch on a date /valentines would be a horror. A film that completely spoils the occasion and a really gruesome action film! A film on a date/Valentines needs to be selected carefully for the occasion so as not to spoil each other’s moods," both Lisa and Hannah agree. However, Kayleigh thought a war or action would be a bad choice and Charlotte said: "Any kind of crap slapstick comedy and/or meaningless comedy would annoy me. For example Anchorman."

It seems the ladies have very conflicting ideas about what makes a good or bad movie for Valentines day or for a date so, it really does depend upon the people and not the film.

Here’s what the ladies recommended for this Valentines:-The Notebook, First Knight, Bridget Jones, Ghost, Dirty Dancing, He’s Just Not That Into You, Yes Man, Defiance ... Men...please take note!