Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 is the 7th film in the Potter franchise, with the very last one due to be released in July. It follows Harry, Ron and Hermione as they try and track down and destroy Lord Voldemort's horcruxes. If you don't know what any of that means, then shame on you. I can't possibly explain it all here.

It's a wonderfully dark film, and is very different to the previous films in the series. No Hogwarts for instance and there is a large chunk of the movie which just follows the trio as they move from one secluded place to another and not much else happens. I think this really helps the viewer to understand the isolation, uneasiness and loneliness that the characters feel.

There are some great comedic moments too, my favourite being in the Ministry of Magic when the trio have to pretend to be ministry staff. Look out for a brilliant animated sequence too.

The soundtrack is wonderful, the acting is great and it's just a wonderful film that everyone can enjoy. Yes, even you people that haven't read the books. Just make sure you've watched the previous Potter movies though, as you won't have a bloody clue what's going on.

10/10

The Sword In The Stone

I adore Disney movies. The Sword In The Stone is probably one of my favourites. It very much reminds me of my childhood (like most Disney movies do). Such a nostalgic film.

I wouldn't say it's neccessarily the BEST Disney film, but it's certainly one of the most entertaining. Merlin has to be one of the best Disney characters ever. The part where he gets his beard caught in the door of his cottage is very amusing indeed.

One of the best scenes is the one where Merlin turns himself and Arthur into squirrels. As a squirrel lover, I just found this scene both adorable and hilarious. Arthur gets pursued by this cute little girl squirrel, while Merlin has his hands full with a funny little fat squirrel. Almost impossible to watch this scene without giggling.

Oh, and every scene with Sir Pelinore is giggleworthy too :)

I would say that The Sword In The Stone is quite an underrated Disney film. It's a simple plot, very easy for kids to follow. The animation is good and it provides plenty of laughs.

9/10

The Simpsons Movie

I am an absotutely HUGE fan of the Simpsons, so I have to admit, I was a bit wary about seeing a movie version of the show. I wasn't sure if it would work, if it would ruin the magic of the series, etc etc.

It didn't. I loved every second of the movie. It looked incredible. So crisp and clear, and the colours were just magnificent.

I liked the plot too... simple, easy to follow, yet it didn't feel dumbed down. There were plenty of jokes that both kids and adults could enjoy on different levels. Although the part where Bart skateboards naked to Krusty Burger did have me a bit shocked... but not too shocked because I giggled at it too :P

It wasn't too long, so it didn't feel drawn out. The dialogue was great, the voice actors were (as they always are) just superb. I absolutely loved the part where Homer watches the video that Marge has filmed for him. Julie Kavner (the voice of Marge) was excellent at that part. You could really feel the disappointment in Marge's voice.. it was quite touching.

If you're a fan of The Simpsons, then you must see this movie... although, even non-fans can probably still really enjoy it.

10/10

Shrek The Third

Geez... I am SO bad. I haven't updated my blog in aaaaaages, yet I have watched plenty of films!

So... the first in my backlog of films is Shrek The Third, the most recent in the Shrek series.

It's definitely not "The Best Shrek Yet" but it was still really enjoyable. The plot revolves around Shrek as he sets out to find the new king of Far Far Away.

Justin Timberlake is actually really good as Artie. I wasn't sure what to think when I heard he would be providing a voice in Shrek, but he really pulls it off. Artie comes across as quite an endearing character. My favourite "new" character though, has to be Merlin, voiced by Eric Idle. Just super. The funniest moments in the whole film revolve around him.

There are plenty of funny moments, but overall, it's just not as good as the first two in the series. I know there's another Shrek film in the works, but I just can't see what else they can do... every fairytale seems to have been covered already. Ah well... I'll just have to wait and see.

Worth a watch though. :)

6/10

Shrek 2

After watching Shrek the other day, I decided to carry on and watch the sequel.

It carries on with Shrek and Fiona as they prepare to meet the King and Queen of Far, Far Away (Fiona's parents) and take part in a royal ball.

I think I prefer the plotline of Shrek 2 to the original, probably because this film introduces so many new characters, notably Fairy Godmother, Prince Charming, and Puss In Boots.

I think Jennifer Saunders does a wonderful job of voicing the Fair Godmother. She makes her seem sweet yet evil at the same time. Excellent.

Puss is my favourite character in this film, along with Donkey of course. He's just so darn adorable. I absolutely love it when he uses his eyes to win people over. So cute!!! Makes me want to get a cat.

As with the first Shrek film, the soundtrack is brilliant. It uses a very balanced mix of original score and actual songs, which I think works really well.

Generally, I find sequels to be a bit disappointing, but Shrek 2 really is just as good as the original. A great family film.

8/10

Shrek

I think Shrek is one of those movies that everyone has to have seen at least once. To be perfectly honest, I didn't watch it until a few years after it was released on DVD, as I didn't think I would enjoy it. Goodness knows why! It's a great film!

It takes the mickey out of every fairytale there is, from Sleeping Beauty to Robin Hood. Because of the piss-take, adults are able to enjoy this film just as much as children.

All the actors are perfect for their characters. I could not imagine anyone except Mike Myers doing the voice for Shrek. He brings a really warm and friendly tone to the ogre.

But I think this film belongs to Eddie Murphy's character, Donkey. He is the perfect sidekick. Almost every single funny line in the film belongs to Donkey. He's adorable, hilarious and annoys the crap out of Shrek.

It's a really entertaining and enjoyable film for all the family, plus it has a super soundtrack. Highly recommended.

8/10

The Wrong Trousers

"The Wrong Trousers" is the second Wallace and Gromit adventure from animator Nick Park.

The plot sees Wallace, voiced by Peter Sallis, being used by an evil penguin to steal a diamond from a museum using mechanical trousers. Yes, that's right. It sounds totally ridiculous, but it's probably one of the best examples of animation and claymation ever.

It's a mark of the animators skill that the whole story can basically by told through the looks on the characters faces. Wallace is the only character that talks, and even he doesn't say loads. Gromit the dog is adorable throughout, always looking out for his master. The part where he hides in the cardboard box and has to cut out eyeholes is genius.

But the best part of the 30 minute film is probably the train chase at the end. How they managed to make that, I'll never know. It's so funny aswell.

It's entertaining, something that all ages can enjoy and laugh at. I defy anyone to watch it and not enjoy it.

10/10

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

After watching Goblet of Fire the other day, I decided to watch the next Harry Potter film in the series (and the most recent), "Order of the Phoenix".

OOTP is Harry Potter's fifth year at Hogwarts. However, things are set to change as the Ministry of Magic, unwilling to believe that the evil Lord Voldemort has returned, stations Dolores Umbridge as a new teacher at the school. Umbridge is a nasty piece of work, tries to take over the school and is brilliantly played by Imelda Staunton.

I think this is the best Potter film to date, despite the book being my least favourite. I think all the right things were included in the film. The scenes in the Room of Requirement are some of my favourites. Having all the students together in one place is really good to see, especially when you get to see them conjuring their Patronuses (charms that takes the form of an animal and will protect against dark creatures).

My favourite scene in the entire film is the battle scene at the end between Voldemort and Dumbledore. It's wonderful. The special effects are amazing and the fact that there's no background music in it makes it quite chilling.

It's a really good adaptation, very entertaining and it keeps you gripped from beginning to end.

Now I can't wait for Half-Blood Prince to be released this November!!

9/10

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Goblet of Fire is the fourth of the Harry Potter films. It follows Harry as he returns to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for a fourth year and takes part as an underage competitor in "The Triwizard Tournament"; a competition between three wizarding schools, involving a series of deadly and dangerous tasks.

I really love the GoF novel, and I think the majority of it translates well to screen. It's a really well made film. The scenery, special effects and costumes are great.

The acting is okay. Well, the adults are good, the younger cast members... well... average really. But if you compare them to how they acted in the first film, then they deserve Oscars for this one.

Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley is, as always, probably the best thing about the film. He IS Ron Weasley in my eyes. He plays him perfectly. It's his facial expressions. One of my favourite scenes in the film is where Ron is getting ready for the Yule Ball, fretting over his extremely ugly (and frilly) dress robes that his mother sent for him. Excellent!

Overall, I think it's a fairly good adaptation of a wonderful book, with lots of entertaining moments.

7/10

The Princess Diaries

I've not really been a fan of Disney's recent live action movies (I much prefer the old animated classics), but I was pleasantly surprised by "The Princess Diaries".

I thought it would be just another cheesy teenage movie, but I think people of all ages can really enjoy it. The plot is simple - 15 year old Mia doens't fit in at school and desperately wants to be invisible. Her grandmother visits her to tell her that her father (who recently died) was the Prince of Genovia and that she is the only heir. So begins Mia's transformation from geeky high school kid into a prim and proper princess.

Anne Hathaway, as Mia, is really fantastic in this film. She has great likeability and you really root for the character. Julie Andrews is also brilliant as the Queen, and the two of them have really good on screen chemistry as grandmother and granddaughter.

Very enjoyable.

8/10