Reviews

I love this show. I went through the entire first season in under two days. I love it because it takes a candid, unabashed look at the lives of four young women who are struggling with reality; and it does so in a that way not many television shows are able to. This is the first program I've seen that is able to humorously, albeit seriously, depict a specific scenario without being crude or unrealistic or shy.

I'm well aware that as twenty-something-year olds its very easy to believe that every problem encountered (however small) is the worst imaginable when you're fresh out of college, drowning in responsibilities and generally overcome with anxiety. The first episode begins with Hannah (one of the central characters) being told by her parents that they will no longer financially support her. The concept is pretty conceivable to many who have been financially independent since the day they received their diploma, but to Hannah, it's crushing news. As is her lack of a job. Her "hookup's" non-committal stance. Her being thirteen pounds overweight. Every problem she has is worthy of a meltdown while the people around her think its only worthy of a sarcastic "world's tiniest violin". But her problems do matter, as do all the other problems that the other central characters (Marnie, Jessa and Shoshanna) are forced to dealt with. And I think Lena Dunham really does this justice. Because she's not omitting, for the sake of pleasing a wider audience, the awkward sex scenes or messed up interviews or bitch fights between friends; she's being upfront and saying "Welcome to the real New York- not the glamorous Sex and The City".

All of what I said above, I must add, I felt before I IMDb'd it and found that if I'd bothered to read the credits I would have seen Lena Dunham (who plays a central character) is incredible. As she not only acts in this show, but she also created it, writes and directs the episodes! She's a one man show and she's only 26. I think she's a rare talent and will no doubt become an important figure in modern television/cinema production.

So watch it!

Stripping aside, this movie was actually quite serious; not to mention realistic. I agree that based on the trailer my previous sentence seems rather unlikely, as I too expected an irrelevant plot and a lot of booty. What I got from "Magic Mike" instead was a lot of story...and yeah, a lot of flesh.

The movie centres around Mike (Channing Tatum), an "entrepreneur" who's ambition in life is to open a custom-made furniture business. Mike is "Magic Mike" the stripper by night, and Michael Lane- the contractor and eager loan candidate by day. While working as a contractor Mike meets Adam (Alex Pettyfer) a penniless nineteen year old who lost his football scholarship after assaulting his coach. One night, after Adam successfully (and unknowingly) recruits women as customers for Mike's strip show, Mike introduces Adam to the world of stripping.

This is all very romantic and, on the surface, rather mundane. Based on my previous description it's essentially a slightly more sexed up rendition of "The Blind side"; but it's the little things that did it for me. I loved how ironic it was that while Mike was frequently sleeping with a psychologist and behavioral analyst; it was actually Adam's sister who calls him out on his behavior and whom he feels comfortable confiding in. I loved the contrast between Adam: who became so blinded by the spotlight to realize his own decline into drugs, alcohol and danger- and Mike: who finally shed light onto his own unhappiness with his job and apparent disinterest in continuing it. It was a clever movie with a lot of meaning; a sister's concern for her brother, a stripper's comfort yet eternal dissatisfaction with their job; the world behind "show business" and the hot, sweaty bodies (namely of Channing Tatum- that man can move!).

Don't get me wrong, there's lots of fun to be found in this movie. Just look out for the glimpses beneath the surface, as I do think they deserve recognition.

I think this show is either directed at teenagers, those who aren't far from their teenage years or those who are particularly reminiscent of their teenage years; simply because it can't be taken too realistically.

"Jane by design" details the life of a sixteen year old girl who is mistaken as an adult, and is given the opportunity to live both the life of a normal teenager and the life of a successful career woman. She doesn't pay rent but she earns a respectable salary, she doesn't have bills so she uses her money for clothes- it's essentially the best of both worlds. This show centres around a daydream that most high school "outcasts" have had at one point; that of being given the opportunity to break free from the mold and prove to every popular kid that even the outcasts matter.

This show can't be taken too literally. It is very surreal (as a situation such as Jane's would never go unnoticed), perhaps a little stereotyped and generally tailor made for the modern day teenager. It has Iphones, heels and a Katy Perry soundtrack- so if Gossip girl or 90210 simply aren't to your liking, this probably won't be either. But as a teenage girl, I find it adds much needed sustenance to my own daydreams and perhaps a little bit of healthy positivism to my outlook on life.

As an avid watcher of Gilmore Girls, I was eager to try out a show which many people seemed to think was fairly similar. I can definitely see some similarities between Hart of Dixie and Gilmore Girls, but I do think a more accurate match would be Everwood. In fact, Hart of Dixie is essentially the modernized replica of Everwood. Both shows tell the story of New York surgeons relocating to a small town practice and competing with the other practitioner in town. The main difference between the two, however, is that Hart of Dixie features the beautiful and talented Rachel Bilson who plays a somewhat ditzy but ultimately lovable character that just wants to fit in. Overall, with the exception of some Southern stereotypes which do at times make me cringe, I must admit I find this show very charming. The characters do develop throughout the season, and the medical aspect makes up for, say, the lack of quick-witted dialogue that Gilmore Girls provided. I would definitely recommend this show to those who enjoyed and miss Everwood, and look forward to seeing the storyline progress.

I really didn't want to like this movie. I'll be honest. The first twenty minutes, I was more interested in my plate of Chinese food than the movie itself. I thought the script was poorly made, and it was clearly very low budget. But not being one to prejudge, I saw it through. And I'm glad I did. Perhaps it doesn't have the 'Hollywood' feel we're all accustomed to, but maybe that's what made this movie the little gem it is. The emotions and sentiments behind and surrounding this movie were so raw and genuine, it touched you in ways superficial blockbusters don't. It's a story of heartbreak, and of two broken people who need each other even though they are ultimately bad for each other. It's a tragically romantic movie, which was constructed very well through the use of good music and excellent filming. And while I think it had the potential to be even better than it already was, by means of stronger dialogue- as is it, it's very much worth your time.

I couldn't really find one word with which to sum up this movie. I would opt for predictable, but aside from the ending, I personally was not able to predict the direction (or deviations)of this story. Similarly, the words 'Sappy' or 'Cliche' cannot be so easily applied to this movie due to one huge, contributing factor in the story: the age gap between protagonists. 'Scusa Ma Ti Chiamo Amore' or 'Sorry, If I Love You' tells the story of one 37 year old man who has been left by his long-term girlfriend. Through a series of events, he encounters a 17 year old girl. The two are both very much attracted to each other and after mere days of meeting, begin a relationship. The relationship is more than just mutual lust, and the two soon become a somewhat unconventional but very much committed couple. If you remove the age gap between characters, this movie does become a very boring and 'been-there-done-that' cliché. But it's not. It's a sweet story of an unconventional relationship (which may have been shocking years ago, but now seems to be becoming socially acceptable). It's also a cute and at times genuinely funny flick to pass the afternoon with. I would recommend this as a light, albeit very interesting story with a somewhat unoriginal story line which is made unique by various twists and turns.

This movie was a little painful for me to watch. As someone who has loved, and lost, it was really very poignant. As I imagine it would be for anyone who has ever lost a spouse, partner or even friend to temptation.

The story revolves around one night, one married couple, and the temptations they face. Jo (Keira Knightley) is reunited with an old flame, and struggles to resist temptation as she spends one long and eventful night with him. Her husband Michael (Sam Worthington), who is away on business with an attractive colleague, is also faced with the potential to give in to attraction while also giving in to infidelity.

The plot seems simple enough, but it is actually so much more complex than that. It questions marriage, commitment and everlasting love. It is a movie that deals with boundaries, moral issues and so much more- in so few words. A large part of the film, in fact, was filled with a beautiful piano composition and muted footage of their night. It was delicate, but also a little haunting. And while I do think the ending wasn't entirely satisfying in terms of entertainment, I think that when you apply it to reality- it was really rather accurate.

Perhaps, like most movies I see and review, it wasn't worthy of every award in the world- but I certainly think this film was heartfelt and profound: and definitely worth an hour and 15 minutes of your time.

I enjoyed this movie, in all it's inaccurate depictions of a romanticised Italy. It's perhaps not the best film I've ever seen, but it certainly merits a place in my favourite romantic movies list. While it's understandably not appropriate for everyone, for those who enjoy some sappy romance and a story loosely resembling a single woman's daydream or two- this will surely put a smile on your face. "Tre metri sopra il cielo" better understood if you speak Italian, or, at least have some sort of knowledge of Italian culture- sheds light on first loves, has a Romeo-Juliet forbidden love scenario and gives you a brief moment of butterflies in your stomach as you watch the convincing love between the two characters. While the movie had the potential to be better (by eliminating that annoying Radio presenter that narrates, for a start) for what it was -the story of an unconventional relationship between socialite and bad boy- it delivered very well. The acting was good, the filming quite beautiful and the script pretty standard. I will reiterate that this IS Italian, and so it probably won't be as effective to those who don't speak the language. It really isn't as wordy as other films, and the words that are spoken are intended for a sort of romantic impact- easily achieved in Italian, a very romantic language, not as easily translated into English. But very good nonetheless, definitely worth watching (With an open mind!).

It's rare that when watching a chick flick, I find myself laughing out of genuine humour: but such was the case in Chalet Girl. Not only does it boast a pleasingly sarcastic dialogue and delightfully witty characters, but it offers just the right amount of romance and cheese to avoid 93 minutes of cringing. The story was very uplifting, albeit predictable, and the photography was worthy of a gasp or two. Set in the beautiful Austrian alps, this movie contained the perfect ingredients for a light and enjoyable flick: humour, romance, dramatic twist and happy ending. Perhaps it's not Oscar worthy, but it's certainly worth an hour and a half of your time.

By far, 'Something Borrowed' is not an Oscar worthy masterpiece. But as far as chick flicks are concerned, this one was very enjoyable. Unlike many movies I've seen with a similar storyline, this one focuses not only on the present but also on the past. In fact, if you're able to see past the shallow plot, you'll find that there are some actual thought provoking ideas behind 'Something Borrowed'. The movie deals with choosing between what's morally right and what's right for one's happiness. Various characters seem to dwell on the past, and it therefore also addresses people's inability to forgive themselves for past mistakes. Personally, I could really relate to some the issues the character's faced, such as Ginnifer Goodwin's regret over making the wrong choices which therefore altered her life. The movie often veers from being a typical Chick Flick to a Drama, and some scenes brought a little tear to my eye. The acting was excellent, the actors performances very convincing, and some scenes (such as flashbacks) were very well directed. Admittedly, there was some back and forth within the story, and some scenes were added purely for reaction- but overall, this, to me, was a great flick for a rainy Saturday afternoon.

After reading a few reviews, I expected this movie to be a mildly pornographic rom-com. As the credits scrolled, however, I was surprised to find that this movie was not only well made and well casted, but the story behind well thought out too. Although some aspects of the story were clearly unreal (like the glamour and ease with which Ashton Kutcher picked up women), I thought that some things portrayed in Spread were rather accurate. One idea, which Nicky (Kutcher) mentions several times, is how people run to LA to pursue their dreams- but how the reality is that nothing is quite as magic as it seems. Most movies, having been made in Hollywood, would not necessarily incorporate this into the story. But this movie daringly features not only this but other controversial issues, and is therefore quite thought provoking. On the surface I can see why people thought the scenes of sexual nature were unnecessary, but really, the sex was part of the story. It was showing what Ashton Kutcher, who plays a gigolo, did to survive. And it showed how meaningless it all way for him. Overall I really enjoyed this film, and think that it carries a much deeper meaning than one would presume.

Prior to renting this movie, I read some reviews on this site. Many of them were negative, and I was therefore unsure if I should watch it or not. However, there seemed to be an excellent cast and soundtrack listed on the box, so I decided to risk it. I, for one, really enjoyed it. Many reviews compare it to a movie called "Paris, je t'aime" which I had not seen. And maybe this is why I was able to see this film objectively and without precedents. And see the beauty in it. To truly enjoy it, you have to understand that this movie is not a standard Hollywood flick. It has no storyline or plot, and each short story is focused more on the filming and scenery and less on the acting and story. The movie does begin with a little weak acting, but as it progresses it becomes a film well worth watching. The short stories are in no particular order, but I think that makes this more effective. Its a look into the lives and relationships of various people in the city, and life doesn't follow a plot so it adds a touch of reality to the equation. Well worth watching, in my opinion.

If memory serves me right, the poster for Remember Me was featured alongside a Twilight "Edward" cut out in my local cinema. As much as the Vampire-Romance saga had entertained me, I had all but assumed that Remember Me would be yet another teenage chick-flick. Especially considering some of the reviews it had received, which contained words such as 'Pitiful' and 'Predictable'. It was for this reason, that I decided against this movie, and chose some other less than average blockbuster. The last week Remember Me was showing, I read on a website that it was an Independent movie and that Pierce Brosnan also starred alongside Emilie De Ravin and Robert Pattinson. I reluctantly payed the admission cost, and in an empty cinema readied myself for a tiresome display of pitiful acting.

I admit, hands down, totally ashamed, that I was wrong. Wrong to judge this film, or the capacity of the performance. This movie is heart-wrenchingly beautiful, and totally unpredictable. The acting is credible, and every time I watch it, which is more than often, I can't help but cry at all that's wrong in the world. This movie stayed with me long after the ending credits, and it left me with an uneasy and depressing feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Robert Pattinson plays a lost and unfortunate character. Son of a rich, seemingly heartless man and brother to a deceased victim of suicide. He has no goal and life and wonders idly from day to day, carrying the burden of his lost brother and his severed relationship with his Father (Pierce Brosnan). On a night out, he involves himself in a fight outside a bar. Caught up in the moment, he punches a policeman and is jailed for the night. When his Father disapprovingly bales him out, Robert Pattinson decides to vindicate himself by dating the police man's daughter and breaking her heart. However, Robert Pattinson falls for the girl, played by Emilie De Ravin. The ending of the movie is like a punch in the gut, I won't spoil it but I can certainly say I did not expect it. I've recommended this movie to many people, and will continue to do so. I'm just about to watch it again, so I'll leave at the risk of ruining my computer with the inevitable tears.

At a loss of what to do, on a whim, I decided to go to the cinema. Being the opening night of 'Black Swan', I decided to leave that particular feature for another day. There were a few horrors, a few kids movies and then there was Morning Glory.

The Plot: Morning Glory is the story of one enthusiastic workaholic, Becky Fuller (Rachael McAdams), who is fired from her job at a Morning television show. Unemployed and desperate, she jumps at the offer of Executive Producer for a low budget, failing Morning show. The presenter of which, is the sour wannabe diva Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton) and the employees of which are under constant pressure to raise the audience ratings. Determined to prove her boss wrong, Becky Fuller goes to great lengths to improve the standard. One of her missions, is to employ world famous reporter, (and the third most horrible person in the world) Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford) as co-presenter.

My Opinion: There are some movies that leave you indifferent. You walk out of the theater, shrugging your shoulders and contemplating what to cook for dinner. Then there are those, that leave you with a definite emotion. Morning Glory, for me, was the latter. As the closing credits scrolled, I was inspired. I skipped out with a can-do spirit. Maybe its due to Rachel McAdam's contagious radiance. Maybe its Harrison Ford's excellent acting. Maybe it was the simple plot, and happy ending. I don't really know. All I know, is that even now, the after effect of this light comedy- was pure conviction that anything can happen, if you work hard and really want it.

To put it plainly, this romantic comedy was a pleasure to watch. And an excellent remedy for someone whose a little hopeless in these difficult financial times.

I struggle to understand the negative reviews. Granted, Kristen Bell is one of my favorite actresses, therefore my opinion may be if only a little biased. But still, I can't see how this movie- light hearted, with an inspiring happy ending, is any worse than any other rom-com to date. All three main actresses are excellent performers. Betty White and Jamie Lee Curtis each depict their characters perfectly. Especially Jamie Lee Curtis, whose youthful spite as well as laugh-out loud accidents are perfectly acted. Kristen Bell also successfully plays both a striving business woman and high school dork, so much so that you find yourself empathizing with both. The entire plot, which centers around a woman's brother marrying her high school bully, is also rather realistic. Some of the classic Hollywood are obviously there for embellishment, but the idea that forgiving and forgetting isn't always so easy- is really rather accurate. Kristen Bell plays the role of a tortured high school geek, who never really forgave her bully. Now her bully is marrying her brother, and she is expected to give her support- regardless of the surfacing scars and awful memories. All throughout, Kristen is merely looking for an apology. Which is easy to relate to. Because often, one needs only an apology to rectify a situation. Not only that, but the story also touches on the issue of a daughter in-law replacing the distant daughter: and the jealousy that surrounds it.

All in all, a very enjoyable movie. It may not be a masterpiece, but its definitely worth seeing.

I can't remember the last show I watched that I found genuinely funny. But the more episodes I watched (all of which I devoured in one afternoon), the funnier it all seemed to me. So much so, that I was laughing out loud and struggling to stop. The writing is excellent, and the lines are delivered by these quirky, odd characters with a completely straight face. The baby is adorable, and the entire plot is strange yet almost heartwarming. Each character is individual and funny in themselves. Jimmy is loving, a little dumb and pining after the grocery girl. His Father is rather slow and a little lost, his heart set on winning the lottery. His Mother is witty and sarcastic, an obsessive hoarder and employee for a cleaning agency. And his great grandmother is rarely lucid, always senile and convinced that Jimmy is her deceased husband. All in all, this is a funny if not strange show. Throw in a baby, who is so cute you'll find yourself "awwww"ing at the slighted coo, and you have twenty three minutes of proper comedy; that is well worth watching.

There are movies, such as this and many others, that sometimes don't appeal to people do to the slowness of it all. Nonetheless, I was surprised to see the low rating that it received. The Yellow Handkerchief tells the touching story of three broken individuals, each with their own troubled past and lingering issues; who share one thing in common: the need to escape. The entire plot is centred around a long car journey, in which Martine (Kristen Stewart) and Gordy (Eddie Redmayne)slowly unravvel the mystery of Brett Hanson (Willian Hurt) an unhappy man, recently released from his sentence in prison. The movie is an Indie movie, and it does appear to be rather slow. The script isn't as chatty or invasive as the blockbuster movies we're used to, and there is a lot of scenery. But regardless, the theme of the movie is easy for people to relate to. You don't have to be a convict, or an abandoned child to understand it- the entire story, is about making mistakes. And eventually, the message becomes clearer: that the people who forgive you, and offer you a second chance, are those who love you the most. There are so many different ways to see this movie, that I will point out that that's only my interpretation. I highly recommend this movie, but only if you're in the mood for a more symbolic movie rather than fast paced; action packed thrillers..