Horrible Bosses

http://horriblebossesmovie.warnerbros.com

The second movie of my birthday movie double bill was Horrible Bosses. This was mostly due to the lack of anything else being out. Some of my friends are not into Harry Potter (shocking I know) and most have already seen Transformers 3. So aside from Cars 2, which I'd already seen earlier in the day, that left Horrible Bosses.

As well as having a horrible title, Horrible Bosses also has, as you might have guessed, three horrible bosses, one for each of the main characters. Nick (Jason Bateman) has to put up with Dave (Kevin Spacey) and his constant attempts to make Nick look bad. Dave basically undermines Nick at every available opportunity, as well as robbing him of a promotion he's been working tirelessly for. Dale (Charlie Day) has a female boss, Julia (Jennifer Aniston), who is sexually harassing him. And finally Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) has a boss he loves, Jack (Donald Sutherland), who dies and leaves his coke addicted son Bobby (Colin Farrell) in charge. They seek advice on how to pull off the perfect murders of their bosses. But will everything go to plan?

I think it was a massive coup that this film managed to get Kevin Spacey on board, it gives the movie some much needed credibility and is especially impressive given that Mr Spacey tends to be more of a behind the scenes and theatre man at the moment. The downside to having Kevin Spacey is that he seems to have only agreed to make the movie because it allowed him to re-play his character from Swimming With Sharks. Which is a great movie by the way, if you haven't seen it. But not so good for Horrible Bosses.

The other not-so-good thing about Horrible Bosses is the timing of it's release. I can't help but think that it has been released at a horrible time. It's summer, where if you're not a blockbuster, you're only options are to be an interesting indie pic/film based on true events or a comedy that happens to be a huge sleeper hit. Well with names like Spacey, Farrell and Aniston, you're not an indie. And let's face it, Bridesmaids has been the comedy hit of the summer and I don't think this is going to knock the tiara off it's head.

So I feel bad, because Horrible Bosses is not that bad a film (especially given that it's a Jennifer Aniston movie). If it was released at any other time I feel it would have a decent chance as it's quite funny, it's got good actors in it and it's got a nice not-too-complicated plot. But this isn't any other time, so Horrible Bosses is probably going to get a horrible opening weekend. Plus it's gone up against Pixar, Harry Potter and Transformers. Massive fail.

However, if you've not got kids or have seen the other three then give Horrible Bosses a go. It won't dazzle you but it might give you the occasional giggle. 6.5 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 26th July 2011

UK Release Date - 22nd July 2011

Cast Overview:

Jason Bateman ~ Nick Hendricks

Jason Sudeikis ~ Kurt Buckman

Charlie Day ~ Dale Arbus

Kevin Spacey ~ Dave Harken

Jennifer Aniston ~ Dr Julia Harris D.D.S.

Colin Farrell ~ Bobby Pelitt

Donald Sutherland ~ Jack Pelitt

Jamie Foxx ~ Dean 'MF' Jones

Lindsay Sloane ~ Stacy

Director ~ Seth Gordon

Writer(s) ~ Michael Markowitz (Screenplay and Story), John Francis Daley (Screenplay) and Jonathan Goldstein (Screenplay)

Cars 2

http://www.disney.co.uk/cars

For the first of my two birthday movies I chose Cars 2. I have been a huge Pixar fan for years and really liked the first Cars movie, which followed the adventures of race car Lightning McQueen and his tow truck friend Mater. 

This sequel sees the addition of new characters special agent Finn McMissile, special agent Holley Shiftwell and oil tycoon turned eco fuel fighter Sir Miles Axelrod. Sir Axelrod finds his allegiances switched to natural fuel sources when he gets lost in the jungle. To advertise his new green fuel, Sir Axelrod devises the first ever World Grand Prix, in which Lightening McQueen finds himself called into the line-up by the Italian sports car Francesco Bernoulli. Mater comes along for the ride and soon finds that he is at the center of international espionage.

Cars 2 definitely picks up the pace on Cars, there's a lot more action, more characters, more plot and a whole lot more excitement. The characters feel like they get a much more equal shot of screen time rather than this being all about Lightning McQueen. Mater and the British spies have an entire plot of their own which works perfectly interspersed with the racing track scenes, which on their own would probably get boring after a while.

Kudos really goes to the background artists at Pixar who have done an amazing job of the backdrops of Tokyo, Italy and London. Each with their recognisable landmarks and lovely little touches which make these movies enjoyable for adults as well as kids. 

My favourite of the new characters has to be McMissile, with his 'tache shaped grille and kindly british accent he comes across as a sweet grandfatherly figure, but then he whips out his custom special agent weaponry and gadgets James Bond would be jealous of and you know you have a worthy hero on your hands. 

Pixar really are the masters of their craft with unmatched attention to detail, perfect voice casting time after time and ultimately, a sumptuous end film which will become a beloved classic for generations to come.

It's not the best Pixar movie to date but let's face it, they've never made a bad film. 7 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 26th July 2011

UK Release Date - 22nd July 2011

Cast Overview:

(If you don't like knowing who the voices are DONT SCROLL DOWN! ;0)

Owen Wilson ~ Lightning McQueen

Larry the Cable Guy ~ Mater

Michael Caine ~ Finn McMissile

Emily Mortimer ~ Holley Shiftwell

Eddie Izzard ~ Sir Miles Axelrod

John Turturro ~ Francesco Bernoulli 

Director(s) ~ John Lasseter and Brad Lewis

Writer(s) ~ Ben Queen (Screenplay), John Lasseter (Story), Brad Lewis (Story) and Dan Fogelman (Story)

Lady K's Harry Potter Experience

What an incredible week that was. Starting at 3am on Thursday 7th July...

I awoke after 2 hours sleep and got myself ready for the longest day of my life. A taxi was waiting outside by 3.30 which took me and my cinema buddy to Brighton train station. We were catching the 3.50am train to London. We slept most of the 1hr 30min journey and arrived at Victoria train station around 5.20am. I've never seen a London train station so quiet and deserted. It was really quite eerie. We made the most of the facilities knowing that toilets and places to freshen up would be hard to come by later in the day, and grabbed a much needed coffee. We arrived in Trafalgar Square just before 6am. There was already a queue of people stretching past The National Gallery so we joined the end of the queue and began 'the wait'.

As we weren't able to take time off work to camp out (and to be honest, I don't do camping so I wouldn't have done this even if I'd been able, but massive respect goes out to those who did) we were just grateful to have a chance at getting in the square. 

Five hours later, and around 30 people away from the front of the queue, we were turned away from Trafalgar Square as it was full. Less than five minutes later the heavens opened in a way never before experienced. We got drenched and took shelter under a nearby doorway and waited for the rain to stop. When the rain eventually did stop we decided the only thing for it would be to go to Leicester Square, where the stars would be coming to watch the movie after the main Trafalgar Square event had taken place.

So we headed to Leicester Square where it poured down again. We were turned away from the small Odeon at Leicester Square and told in no uncertain terms that it "was not a waiting area!" We then took shelter again under the hood of the Empire cinema and again waited for the rain to subside. When it eventually did we decided to head to MacDonalds and attempt to dry off. 

Eventually, around 2pm, we found an available spot outside the big Odeon in Leicester Square and stood our ground. We were pushed and pulled in all directions as the barriers were put in place but somehow found ourselves on the barrier. 

And then began the wait. The enclosed area that contained us filled up. Ladders were put up to fix bulbs, vans were moved, people walking through Leicester Square were diverted and the red carpet was rolled out before our very eyes.

Some 5 hours later, an hour after I'd read on Twitter that the stars had started to arrive at Trafalgar Square, the D list celebrities started to filter their way through. We saw Alexandra Burke, Lorraine Kelly and Peaches Geldof. Oh and the boys from McFly and Graham Norton, who were lovely and signed for everyone.

  

And then finally another hour after that we got the Potter people and the A listers!

Clemence Poesy ~ Fleur Delacour

David Bradley ~ Argus Filch

Ciaran Hinds ~ Aberforth Dumbledore

Helen McCrory ~ Narcissa Malfoy (and real life hubby Damian Lewis) 

X-Men First Class actor Nicholas Hoult

Devon Murray ~ Seamus Finnigan

Timothy Spall ~ Peter Petigrew & David Thewlis ~ Remus Lupin

Robbie Coltrane ~ Rubeus Hagrid & Warwick Davis ~ Professor Flitwick

The gorgeous, sweet and ever so kind Evanna Lynch ~ Luna Lovegood

I must just take a moment to say that I am a little bit in love with Miss Lynch. Not only did she sign for EVERYONE, and I really mean EVERYONE, she was so sweet too! She signed my picture and the picture I was holding for my friend and when I said thank you for doing that she replied "Oh it's no problem" in that cheerful Irish accent of hers. I always loved Luna but now I know how sweet Evanna is I love her a little bit more.

Helena Bonham Carter ~ Bellatrix Lestrange & Ralph Fiennes ~ Lord Voldemort

I was lucky enough to get Mr Fiennes signature as he walked past, he must have taken a liking to the photo I was holding out as he didn't sign for anyone else near me. Helena managed to sneak in and we only saw her when she made a brief appearance on the balcony.

And last but by no means least was...

Rupert Grint ~ Ron Weasley

Rupert was the last to arrive and unfortunately for us, was so late he had to go straight in to the film. So all we got was this semi burry photo of him dashing off.

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) and Emma Watson (Hermione) went to the small Odeon and the Empire respectively, so we didn't see them at all.

But all in all it was a good day, we saw lots of famous people, got two of the best signatures we could have and were part of the final Harry Potter premiere!!!

Below are some videos that were taken in Trafalgar Square so you can see what we missed and a nice look behind the scenes of the last day of shooting Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. 

Premiere Highlights

Emma, Daniel, Rupert and JK's Speech

Last Day of Shooting

And finally, here is a link to Empire Magazines 25 best Harry Potter characters:
http://www.empireonline.com/features/greatest-harry-potter-characters/?WT.dcsvid=SilverpopMailing&WT.mc_id=071511%20newsletter%20(1)

I hope you enjoyed the insight into our Harry Potter premiere day! Head over to my film review blog for a review of every Harry Potter film, starting with Philosophers Stone and ending with Deathly Hallows Part 2...


*Special thanks to Blair Holmes for the use of some of his spectacular photo's, listening to my constant moaning about being cold and wet and for the always amazing egg mayo rolls!*

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/

Two things bode well for this, the final film of the Harry Potter series. The first stroke of luck was that the bus I caught to go the cinema was named after famous Brightonian Sir Harry Preston. Harry being a good omen for obvious reasons and Preston being a good omen for me as I come from Preston. 

The second fortuitous discovery is that this is my 50th review. So it seems a celebration is in order for me and Mr Potter.

Shall I get on with it then? Very well. The final Harry Potter, The Deathly Hallows Part 2, opens very sadly with the burial of the character who died at the end of  Deathly Hallows Part 1. So get your tissues ready from the off! From there Harry, Hermione and Ron break into Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringotts Bank to find out if that is the location of another of Voldemort's horcruxes. In the mean time, Voldemort himself is gathering his troops and planning an attack on Hogwarts. Which as fate would have it, is exactly where Harry and co must now return.

There isn't an awful lot I can say about this, the final chapter, for fear of spoiling it for those who haven't read the books. What I will say is that this is a fitting end to an incredible series which has become so dear to both adults and children. I felt very lucky to see it with an appreciative audience who clapped at the opening credits, cheered at several points during the film, sniffled their way through the sad parts and ultimately did not want to see our involvement in the lives of these characters come to an end.

When I first saw Deathly Hallows Part 1 I was convinced that I would not be sad when the end came as I wasn't that attached to these films or characters. But what a week it has been, I've seen them grow up, fall in love, battle the most hideous evil and become the dearest friends anyone could ask for. I'm not ashamed to say that I shed more than a few tears watching Part 2.

I will end this review in the words of Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, at the recent World Premier of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2: "Each and every person, not only in this square but also watching around the world, who will see this film and who have followed these films over the last 10 years, will carry this story with them through the rest of their lives and it will effect what they do."

Couldn't have put it better myself. 8.5 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 15th July 2011 

UK Release Date - 15th July 2011

Cast Overview:

Daniel Radcliffe ~ Harry Potter

Rupert Grint ~ Ron Weasley

Emma Watson ~ Hermione Granger

Matthew Lewis ~ Neville Longbottom

Evanna Lynch ~ Luna Lovegood

Tom Felton ~ Draco Malfoy

Devon Murray ~ Seamus Finnigan

Freddie Stroma ~ Cormac McLaggen

Jessie Cave ~ Lavender Brown

Katie Leung ~ Cho Chang

Chris Rankin ~ Percy Weasley

James Phelps ~ Fred Weasley

Oliver Phelps ~ George Weasley

Domhnall Gleeson ~ Bill Weasley

Clemence Poesy ~ Fleur Delacour

Bonnie Wright ~ Ginny Weasley

Julie Walters ~ Molly Weasley

Mark Williams ~ Arthur Weasley

Kelly MacDonald ~ Helena Ravenclaw

Helena Bonham Carter ~ Bellatrix Lestrange

Ralph Fiennes ~ Lord Voldemort

Jason Isaacs ~ Lucius Malfoy

Helen McCrory ~ Narcissa Malfoy

Ciaran Hinds ~ Aberforth Dumbledore

Michael Gambon ~ Professor Albus Dumbledore

Maggie Smith ~ Professor Minerva McGonagall

Jim Broadbent ~ Professor Horace Slughorn

Alan Rickman ~ Professor Severus Snape

Warwick Davis ~ Professor Filius Flitwick / Griphook

Miriam Margolyes ~ Professor Pomona Sprout

Emma Thompson ~ Professor Sybil Trelawney

Gemma Jones ~ Madam Pomfrey

George Harris ~ Kingsley Shacklebolt

Gary Oldman ~ Sirius Black

David Thewlis ~ Remus Lupin

Natalia Tena ~ Nymphadora Tonks

Robbie Coltrane ~ Rubeus Hagrid

John Hurt ~ Mr Ollivander

David Bradley ~ Argus Filch

Director ~ David Yates

Writer(s) ~ J.K. Rowling (Novel) and Steve Kloves (Screenplay)

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/

Well my dear readers, we've reached the penultimate Harry Potter, The Deathly Hallows Part 1. The week of Potter watching and reviewing is drawing to a close.

And what a way to bow out, with the final book split into two films, we begin the end with an attempt to conceal Harry from the dark lord. This is done by turning several of his friends into versions of himself while the real Harry is transported away from Privet Drive to the safety of the Weasley house, The Burrows. Some are injured during this dangerous task, others don't make it back alive. Feeling guilty about those he cares about putting their neck on the line for him, Harry leaves, in search of the Horcrux's in which Voldemort has concealed pieces of his soul. With Ron and Hermione along for the ride, Harry discovers the location of one of the Horcrux's. But the hard part is finding out how to destroy it. As if that wasn't hard enough, Harry and co must find a way to keep the Horcrux safe whilst also keeping themselves at a distance from the dark magic it possesses.

The Deathly Hallows Part 1 is (or rather was until this week) the only Harry Potter film I have seen at the cinema more than once. And if I'm honest I don't really know why. Before the backlash starts I will clarify. It's not that I don't like Deathly Hallows Part 1, it's just that I don't see anything that particularly sets it apart from the other Potter's. It's not my favourite, and probably not my second favourite. And yet I saw it twice at the cinema.

But unlike some other Potter's, and like last night's Half-Blood Prince, I haven't seen this film since I saw it at the cinema. But as I did see it twice, and more recently than Half-Blood Prince, there were no surprises. 

Though I did forget (until about half way through) about the animated scene which tells the story of the deathly hallows. For those who haven't seen the film, I have included a link to it below. It won't spoil anything so feel free to watch. It's a lovely little animated scene and one which I thoroughly enjoy whenever I see it.

Funnily, the main thing I tend to remember about The Deathly Hallows Part 1 is the fact that they spend a lot of time camping, with Ron in a grump. I forget the early scenes with a Weasley wedding and breaking into the Ministry of Magic. Or the end scenes with Dobby at the Malfoy residence. But I think I block those out because they're so very very sad. 

Not the cheeriest Potter but a thumping good way to set up Part 2 all the same. 8 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 14th July 2011 

UK Release Date - 19th November 2010

Cast Overview:

Daniel Radcliffe ~ Harry Potter

Rupert Grint ~ Ron Weasley

Emma Watson ~ Hermione Granger

Matthew Lewis ~ Neville Longbottom

Evanna Lynch ~ Luna Lovegood

Tom Felton ~ Draco Malfoy

Devon Murray ~ Seamus Finnigan

Freddie Stroma ~ Cormac McLaggen

James Phelps ~ Fred Weasley

Oliver Phelps ~ George Weasley

Domhnall Gleeson ~ Bill Weasley

Clemence Poesy ~ Fleur Delacour

Bonnie Wright ~ Ginny Weasley

Julie Walters ~ Molly Weasley

Mark Williams ~ Arthur Weasley

Rhys Ifans ~ Xenophilius Lovegood

Helena Bonham Carter ~ Bellatrix Lestrange

Ralph Fiennes ~ Lord Voldemort

Jason Isaacs ~ Lucius Malfoy

Helen McCrory ~ Narcissa Malfoy

Timothy Spall ~ Wormtail

Fiona Shaw ~ Aunt Petunia Dursley

Richard Griffiths ~ Uncle Vernon Dursley

Harry Melling ~ Dudley Dursley

Michael Gambon ~ Professor Albus Dumbledore

Alan Rickman ~ Professor Severus Snape

Bill Nighy ~ Minister Rufus Scrimgeour

George Harris ~ Kingsley Shacklebolt

Imelda Staunton ~ Dolores Umbridge

Brendan Gleeson ~ Professor Alastor 'Mad Eye' Moody

David Thewlis ~ Professor Remus Lupin

Natalia Tena ~ Nymphadora Tonks

Robbie Coltrane ~ Rubeus Hagrid

John Hurt ~ Mr Ollivander

David Bradley ~ Argus Filch

Director ~ David Yates

Writer(s) ~ J.K. Rowling (Novel) and Steve Kloves (Screenplay)