Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire (2009)

Main Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey

Plot Summary: An illiterate, abused, over-weight, pregnant teen narrates her story as she tries to make a better life for herself.

The Good: - The cast. Every one of them was captivating; even Mariah Carey. But without a doubt Mo'Nique stood out. No wonder she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Her portrayal of the physically, verbally and emotionally abusive mother left me in awe. I don't ever remember hating a character so intensely whilst at the same time wanting to see more and more of her! She was, by far, my favourite element of the whole film, despite wanting to violently push her off her own tower block on more than one occasion. 

-Precious' way of escaping her horrific life is through her imagination, and her daydreams are handled brilliantly by the editing team. Integrated into the story seamlessly, the sparks of imagination appear when Precious is at her lowest. Whether it's a white woman's reflection in the mirror instead of her own, or a photograph of her mother saying loving things, these insights into Precious' psyche (as well as her own moving and heartbreaking narration) gives another emotional dimension to an already drastically sad story.

The Bad: - Certain moments drag out for a little too long, and therefore I was left with the feeling that the 109 minute film was perhaps a bit lengthy- I was ready for it to end half an hour before it did. 

-Although Gabourey Sidibe was excellent as Precious, it was sometimes quite hard to understand her. She is perfectly understood in the TV Series 'The Big C' (also brilliant by the way- check it out) and although I understand why she spoke the way she did for this character, I was constantly wanting her to speak up; I'm sure a lot of what she said was supposed to be profound and moving, but I didn't catch a lot of it!

Memorable Moment: -Precious' mother's speech in the Welfare office. Surprisingly touching.

Score: 7/10

Verdict: If for no other reason than to learn and be aware of how some people are forced to live, Precious should be seen by everyone. It's a real eye opener, and a teenager's life of abuse interwoven with her dreams of a better life is painfully sad and hard hitting. At it's most basic, Precious is a comment on people's capabilities for bad and good, and more than that it manages to comment on society as a whole without ever seeming preachy. Definitely worth a watch.

Eat Pray Love (2010)

Main Cast: Julia Roberts, James Franco, Javier Bardem

Plot Summary: Feeling stuck and trapped in New York, Liz Gilbert (Roberts) sets off on a trip around the world to try and find that elusive 'missing piece' in her life.

The Good: - As Roberts' character tries to 'find herself,' we are treated to locations, cultures, people and food that aren't American! Her journey takes her to Italy, India and Bali, and in every destination we are exposed to something a little different. Something not so Hollywood.

- Roberts is a very consistent actress, and her performance in Eat Pray Love is just as reliable as in all her previous endeavors. Perhaps not Oscar worthy, but an easy watch none the less.

The Bad: - It's all a little stereotypical. The over the top Italians, the spiritual and traditional Indians, and...well, I'm not aware of Bali's stereotype, but I'm sure it was in there somewhere.

- Liz Gilbert's decision to upend her life and do something different and exciting, left me with the strongest, and most unrealistic urge to do so myself. It's highly frustrating wanting to escape a rut without the proper means to do so, and even more frustrating having to watch someone else do it.

- The entire film from start to finish was mediocre. Nothing particularly jumped out other than some stunning locations and delicious looking pizzas. There was nothing exciting, and although I didn't read the book, from what I heard the film didn't live up to it.

Memorable Moment: Liz and her friend eating Pizzas in Naples. Maybe I was just hungry at the time, but that image stayed with me. Mmmmm...

Score: 6/10

Verdict: It's a very pleasant movie, with some nice touches and occasional chuckle worthy lines, but other than some beautiful scenery and the few insights into non-American cultures, there was nothing that stood out for me. Definitely watchable, but not a film to put on your Bucket List.

Gnomeo and Juliet (2011)

Main Cast: James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Ashley Jensen, Michael Caine, Matt Lucas, Jim Cummings, Jason Statham, Ozzy Osbourn, Stephen Merchant, Patrick Stewart, Julie Walters, Richard Wilson etc etc!

Plot Summary: Two 'star-cross'd lovers' must find a way to be together despite their warring families. Sound familiar? Well, in the words of the one who delivers the prologue "The story you are about to see has been told before. A lot. And now we are going to tell it again. But different." The difference? Gnomes.

The Good: - Gnomes have managed to turn one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies into a beyond cute and often hysterically funny comedy. The manipulation of some of the most famous lines in history, "What's in a gnome" and "A weed by any other name is still a weed" constantly serve to lighten the mood, and anyone who knows their Shakespeare will recognise plenty.

-Aided by clever lines and beautiful animation, the all star cast breathes life into the ceramic characters. Each gnome, bunny, 'shroom or frog has its own individual traits, and each is endearing in its own way. My personal favourites: Featherstone the plastic flamingo voiced by Jim Cummings, a voice often heard throughout Disney's animations, and Fawn the ceramic....fawn, voiced by Ozzy Osbourne... a less frequent contributor to Disney.

-Elton John's ever constant presence... 

The Bad: -Avid, loyal and stubborn Shakespeare fans may be put off by the amount of artistic license Gnomeo and Juliet uses to steer away from the original. Having said that however, if you watch an animated film about gnomes expecting to see Shakespeare in all his original glory, you're perhaps a little deluded.

-Occasionally a little too self-referential. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed the obvious parodying and OTT references, but it could be considered a bit much. In fact, the whole film could be considered a bit much. But for me, that's where the fun is.

Memorable Moment: Gnomeo's conversation with a statue of Shakespeare.

Score: 8/10

Verdict: Shakespeare's been done by everyone, so why not have it done by gnomes? What I expected was a frivolous animation with not much substance, and so I was surprised to find myself laughing at so much of it, and genuinely enjoying a new take on an old classic. It was just fun, and surely that's what Disney's all about?

Never Let Me Go (2010)

Main Cast: Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Kiera Knightly

Plot Summary: Three childhood friends, Kathy, Tommy and Ruth, try to maintain their relationships whilst preparing themselves for their pre-determined futures.

The Good: - As yet another book to film adaptation, it's good to see that Never Let Me Go didn't stray far from Kazuo Ishiguro's original concept, chronology and feel. The sadness of the situation is practically tangible throughout, and the over spill of naivety and innocence from childhood into adulthood makes it all the more touching.

-The main cast breathe life into their characters; Mulligan (Kathy) and Garfield (Tommy) particularly stand out, and their characters'  relationship, although under the surface, is constantly evident. The child actors that portray the main three when they are younger also succeed in making the characters relatable, interesting and true to the book counterparts.

The Bad: -It's difficult to categorise this tale, with it not quite fitting into the technical and often frightening nature of Sci-Fi, but at the same time not making a big enough fuss for it to be considered a drama or tragedy. It sits on the cusp of a lot of genres,  and therefore doesn't quite seem to accomplish anything.

- Although it leaves a lasting impression and is often very moving, I find it hard to consider it as more than a very depressing, very British comment on the shortness and unsatisfying nature of life.

Memorable Moment: - Kathy and Tommy's pit stop in the middle of a country road after being told some bad news, where Tommy revisits the rage he was famous for at school.

Score: 6/10

Verdict: Never Let Me Go stayed true to its novel predecessor, and this left me feeling pleasantly surprised. However, other than the acting which truly did do the characters justice, I feel that most of the positives are down to Ishiguro's story rather than the film itself. Worth a watch, whether or not you've read the book, but don't be surprised if you come away feeling somewhat depressed and dispirited.

Hanna (2011)

Main Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett

Plot Summary: A 16-year old girl is trained by her father to become the perfect assassin. Sent across Europe to complete her mission, she's tracked by a ruthless agency operative. Along the way she learns more about life than her father could have hoped to teach her.

The Good: -Any time Ronan is on screen. Her presence is completely captivating, and 'Atonement' was only a glimpse of the good things to come with this talented young actress.

-The cinematography is stunning, and there are some wonderful contrasts throughout between Hanna's rustic upbringing and the clean cut Western world she's thrown into. Add to that some stunning locations ranging from snowy forests to barren desserts, and Hanna is a very pretty film to look at.

The Bad: -In all honesty, I struggle to think of anything particularly negative. If I had to nit pick and highlight any one particular thing, it would be the character of Sophie. Although I appreciated the occasional light relief she provided, I've had enough exposure to annoying teenagers and could have done without her irritating twang of a voice.

Memorable Moment: -The opening sequence. Beautifully shot and an interesting introduction to Hanna's character

Score: 9/10

Verdict: Although Ronan shines in this original take on an action thriller, she is by no means the sole positive. The storyline is gripping with enough twists and turns to keep you wanting more; Blanchett, Bana and the rest of the supporting cast all play their respective characters successfully, making sure that the title role isn't the only attraction; the action is enthralling and doesn't reduce itself to mindless violence, and bringing it all together is beautiful photography and clever editing. An excellent film that will hopefully propel Ronan into more and more roles.

The Change-Up (2011)

Main Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Jason Bateman

Plot Summary: A classic body switch tale where a laid back single actor and his married lawyer best friend switch bodies & lives.

The Good: - The banter and comic timing between Reynolds and Bateman is spot on every time. The actors have been friends for a while, and it's very obvious throughout. The whole film is brilliantly funny because of their individual comedic talents and their ability to bounce off each other so well.

- The body switch is a time old classic, and although The Change Up doesn't go as far as parodying the genre, it also doesn't take itself too seriously.


The Bad: - Perhaps a few too many toilet/baby poo/masturbating jokes, but then again they fit in well with the overall 'boyishness' of the film, so can't really complain.

Memorable Moment: Reynolds' "lorno" scene...just the right amount of "ohmygoddon'tdoitthat'ssick!!" 


Score: 8/10


Verdict: I am a huge fan of both Reynolds and Bateman, and they don't disappoint in this comedy where men whizz in fountains, babies throw knives, child ballerinas kick ass, and two best friends struggle to see the benefits of marriage/casual sex respectively. Would definitely recommend it for anyone who isn't afraid of a dirty joke and who knows how not to take life too seriously.

Love and Other Impossible Pursuits (2009)

N.B: With my blog having been far too rambling of late, I've decided to bring a bit of substance to it. I'm setting myself the challenge of watching a new film every day for the next week and reporting back here. If I can keep it up, I'll then do it for a month, two, six, a year, etc. Let's see how we go...

Love and Other Impossible Pursuits

Main Cast: Natalie Portman, Scott Cohen, Charlie Tahan, Lisa Kudrow

Plot Summary: A young woman, Emilia, struggles to cope with the recent death of her baby whilst trying to build a relationship with her step-son.

The Good: -The flashbacks to the night of the baby's death were poignant and heartbreaking, and using three door frames to highlight individual moments of that night worked particularly well.

-Kudrow's portrayal of the high strung Upper East Side mother was effective and realistic without being completely over the top. A scene between herself and Portman where she was seen to be supportive, gave her character some depth and stopped her from being one dimensional.

The Bad: - There was nothing overly 'bad' about the film, but it constantly seemed to fall short. I expected more from Portman especially, and kept waiting to see uninhibited grief which I assumed would come from the death of a child. Instead, I got Hollywood pretty tears that never quite cut it.

- The film had several skips in time and I suspect that if we'd seen some of the action within the time lapses, I'd have been left feeling more moved than I did.

Memorable Moment: The scene in Kudrow's office between herself and Portman.


Score: 5/10


Verdict: Perfectly average. I expected to be saddened and affected because of the difficult theme concerning the death of a baby, but I came away feeling nothing. Indifference is possibly the worst reaction to have to anything, and therefore Love and Other Impossible Pursuits was a disappointment.

Is it too early to have a midlife crisis?

My lack of a recent entry can be put down to two reasons:

1) Where there may have been something interesting to report on, instead exists a gaping big hole with nothing to fill it except mind numbing errands and soul destroying job hunts and

2) I may be in the middle of a midlife crisis.

Perhaps it's a bit indulgent to split the above reasons into two when they can really be put under one overarching title: "I'm panicking."

I've never really been one to know what I wanted to do with my life. My earliest memory of an ambition was my dream to be a police woman on a horse. The discovery of my equine allergies and what real police work entailed, soon put pay to that idea. Next came wanting to be a vet. Again, when realising what the job description actually was, I stopped being so keen. What followed was a string of "passions" ranging from bookshop owner to prime minister- ideas that never exceeded more than a month, until finally I hit A-level year and I was being told to start making future decisions.

"So what do you want to do when you leave school?"

The dreaded question followed me everywhere. Sure, I had the short term response.

"Go to University."

"To study what?"

Hmm.
For a while the answer was English because "you can do anything with it" and I'd always thrived at the creative writing aspect, but the idea of studying texts day after day didn't appeal.
Eventually, under the advice of my mother to do something I enjoy, I decided on drama.

Of course there's a big difference in making a decision yourself and having life intervene. I didn't get the A I'd been predicted in drama (ridiculous exam and a flawed teacher, I swear) and so the University I'd settled on offered me drama and film instead.

Disappointment soon gave way to excitement, and I quickly recognised that the B in my drama a-level had done me a world of good. I loved the film aspect of my course!!

And now with a new interest, I had new career prospects. That previously dreaded question was answered with: "Something in film." At the time I was pleased with my answer. It gave me possibilities and different opportunities. It didn't occur to me that once Uni was over, I'd have to narrow those down. Nor did it occur to me that I'd be faced with even more options.

Options are supposed to be good, right? Wrong! I can't make a decision to save my life, let alone one to dictate it! Over the last few months I have considered the following: teaching drama, screenwriting, casting, acting, producing, writing fiction, teaching english abroad, editing, taking photographs, becoming a travel writer, inventing something, setting up a business, doing another undergraduate degree and working in tescos. Although I'm sure I could probably do any of the above (except work in tescos.... I can't quite see myself making that kind of career choice) I am no better off than when I wanted to be a policewoman on a horse.

I'm worried. I know I don't have to make a life altering decision now and that whatever I decide can be fixed later, but I'm so determined to make the right choice first time round. I don't want to be aimlessly switching jobs for the rest of my existence, and I want to find something I'll wake up excited to do!!

Except for those lucky few who have known what they wanted to do since their first words were "You have the right to remain silent", most graduates are facing my same dilemma.

So why do I feel like I'm the only one and that if I don't make my mind up soon, I'm going to fail?

I hate being in limbo.