Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace 3D

http://www.starwars.com/explore/the-movies/episode-i-3d/#5

While I have seen Star Wars Episode 1 before, and at the cinema, as this was a new 3D outing for the film I felt it only fair to grant this showing with a review.

Those who know me will not be surprised to discover that it was my brother who got me into Star Wars, as he was responsible for getting me into movies in general. However, rather than Episode 1 evoking fond memories of my brother, I have rather different memories of this movie. As this was the first film I saw with my late best friend Miranda. If you've read my blog before you will know that she was very special to me and that she is sadly no longer with us. 

We went to see Episode 1 the first time we met, on my 18th Birthday. I had never had a film experience like it, as Miranda was never one to hide her feelings and I soon found out that this extended to her cinematic viewings too. She whooped and cheered and clapped at the pod race, cried when Ani had to leave his mother, grasped my hand more times than I can remember during the high octane ending and gave a standing ovation to the end credits. Some people would hate being with someone who would be so vocal during a film but I loved it and continue to miss it when I watch the film now.

So of course, when the whispers started about the film getting a 3D release, I knew I had to see it. For Mazzy if for no other reason. This time I went with my cinema buddy, who is also a long time Star Wars fan, possibly an even bigger Star Wars fan than my brother. And that's saying something.

For those unfamiliar with the story, this is a prequel to the world famous sci-fi series of the 70s and 80s and charts the young life of Anakin Skywalker, a slave boy from the sandy planet of Tatooine. A planet that two Jedi Knights happen to de-tour to when their ship needs repair during their mission to help a young Queen from another planet which is under attack. Anakin finds a way to help the Jedi's out of their predicament by taking part in a pod race (the Star Wars equivalent of F1 racing). Meanwhile there is an uprising in the dark side of the force as a new Sith lord is sent to track down the Jedi's to eliminate them.

It was nice to see Phantom Menace back up on the big screen as a film so rich in gorgeous scenery and eye popping effects really does look it's best up there. But as with most 3D releases of late, I did find the 3D unnecessary and mostly unnoticeable. Maybe in an IMAX theatre the result would have been more evident but for me the 3D didn't really add anything. It was still great to watch, the pod race and the final lightsaber battle being my two personal favourites from this installment. 

As I mentioned above the scenery in Episode 1 is stunning, you have Naboo, the home of Queen Amidala, a warm, green planet which also inhabits the Gungans in their home under water beneath Naboo's surface. Then you have Tatooine, a desert-like planet with two suns and finally Coruscant, which is likened to a planet which is like one giant city, the home of the Jedi council and the Galactic Senate. Each planet has a very specific and unique look and feel to it and they each look fantastic on the big screen owing to the detail your eye can really take in.

My final point as to why you should see Episode 1 on the big screen is of course John Williams wonderful score. Especially during the lightsaber battle at the end. Just pure class and sounds great coming out of those giant speakers.

Sure Episode 1 is not exactly known for being the best Star Wars film, but it has it's merits, which I hope I have demonstrated above, and all the best stories have to start somewhere, right? 7 out of 10 (it looses a point for Jar Jar - but then you already knew that didn't you?!)

Viewing Date - 15th February 2012

UK Release Date - 10th February 2012

Cast Overview:

Liam Neeson ~ Qui-Gon Jinn

Ewan McGregor ~ Obi-Wan Kenobi

Natalie Portman ~ Queen Amidala/Padme

Jake Lloyd ~ Anakin Skywalker

Ian McDiarmid ~ Senator Palpatine

Pernilla August ~ Shmi Skywalker

Ahmed Best ~ Jar Jar Binks

Anthony Daniels ~ C-3PO

Kenny Baker ~ R2-D2

Frank Oz ~ Yoda

Terence Stamp ~ Chancellor Valorum

Brian Blessed ~ Boss Nass

Director/Writer ~ George Lucas

The Lady K Academy Film Awards Day 10 - Best Support

Day 10 of the now infamous Lady K Academy Film Awards. Tonight's awards are for Best Supporting Actor and Actress.

There have been lots of outstanding performances this year but for me these two in particular stood out. And to some extent both were playing outcasts. Maybe that's why I identified with them so strongly?

The award for Best Supporting Actor goes to Alan Rickman for 

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2

*Massive Spoiler Alert*

Alan Rickman's performances in all of the Harry Potter movies have been underrated but I think especially in the last installment when his character Snape's secret love for Potter's mother Lily was revealed in his dying moments.

(Thanks to PotterMovies7)

Rickman is rather known for his enjoyable if somewhat OTT performances in the likes of Die Hard and Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves, but I honestly think his portrayal of Snape is one which enhances the Potter films and makes you take more note of the supporting actors and actresses in these films. And lets face it, without the support, Potter would be one lonely boy wizard. 

The award for Best Supporting Actress goes to Jessica Chastain for

The Help

*Yet More Massive Spoilers*

As I said above, both supporting actor and actress played rather outcast characters. And while you might not have felt for Snape until his dying moments, I think you felt for Chastain's Celia in The Help, right from the start. Excluded from her rightful place amongst the women of her small town for daring to marry above her station, and not only that but to marry the ex-boyfriend of high society Hilly Holbrook, Celia is a recluse in her own home. Celia hires Minnie to be her maid when Hilly fires Minnie for using the bathroom in her house. Soon the two of them become friends over their joint hatred of Hilly and her backward ways. But Celia's story becomes ever more tragic when it is revealed that she has suffered a series of miscarriages and worries that she will never be able to have the child that she and husband Johnny long for.

While Chastain is relatively unknown, thanks to a string of recent high profile roles in films such as The Help, The Tree Of Life and Coriolanus, her star is on the rise. And after seeing her performance in The Help I can certainly see why.

Runners Up for Best Supporting Actor:

Zach Galifianakis - It's Kind Of A Funny Story

Geiffrey Rush - The King's Speech

Runners Up for Best Supporting Actress:

Octavia Spencer - The Help (it was very close between Octavia and Jessica but I felt that ultimately you saw a broader range from Jessica)

Vera Farmiga - Source Code

Who stole the show from the lead actors and actresses for you last year? Tell me below...

Big Miracle

Mini Blog

http://www.everybodyloveswhales.com/

I saw the poster for Big Miracle but paid no attention to it until my cinema buddy asked if I was going to see Drew Barrymore's new film. Puzzled, I asked what that was as I didn't know she had a new film coming out. Big Miracle he said. The film about the whales I asked? And yes, it turns out Drew made a film about whales. So I looked at the poster with more scrutiny. Based on a true story it said. Yawn. Also starring Dermot Mulroney. I'm there! 

Yes I'm afraid I'm as easy to sway as that. Give me two of my favourite actors and I will see anything! And I have to say that I'm glad I did as this true tale of a family of whales trapped beneath the Alaskan Ice is heart warming, well acted and engaging. Even for those who aren't especially enamoured by whales. 

Looking at the subject matter you could be forgiven for thinking that the film would be quite dull. There are two main factors that stop this from happening. One is a great cast of character actors who have been put together on this movie, Barrymore, Krasinski, Baker, Mulroney, Nelson and LeGros are all recognisable faces who are also really good at what they do. The second thing that keeps you interested in both the humans and the whales are the odds they both have to overcome. Something any family film needs.

It may sound cheesy but if you need a film for kids, that will also keep you interested, and will even impress your mum with the lack of swearing, nudity and violence, I think Big Miracle could be the one for everyone. 7.5 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 12th February 2012

Release Date - 10th February 2012

Cast Overview:

John Krasinski ~ Adam Carlson

Drew Barrymore ~ Rachel Kramer

Kristen Bell ~ Jill Jerard

Vinessa Shaw ~ Kelly Meyers

Ted Danson ~ J W McGraw

Kathy Baker ~ Ruth McGraw

Dermot Mulroney ~ Colonel Scott Boyer

Tim Blake Nelson ~ Pat Lafayette

James LeGros ~ Karl Hootkin

Rob Riggle ~ Dean Glowacki

Director ~ Ken Kwapis

Writer(s) ~ Jack Amiel (Screenplay), Michael Begler (Screenplay) and Thomas Rose (Author of the Book 'Freeing The Whales')

The Lady K Academy Film Awards Day 9 - Best Original Song

How this song wasn't Oscar Nominated as Best Original Song I will never know. It seems so wrong to me that the only way for this song to get the credit it deserves is by me giving it an award but so be it!

The Lady K Academy Award for Best Original Song goes to...

The Star Spangled Man from Captain America: The First Avenger

I have said it before and I will say it again, I guarantee that if you put this song on your ipod and listen to it before work on a gloomy Monday morning it will cheer you up so much that you'll be grinning from ear to ear! When this song came on after a hellish 7 hour coach journey I couldn't help but smile. It's just so cheery!

Special Thanks to AndyDrew105 for the above video which perfectly demonstrates the winning qualities of The Star Spangled Man.

There are no runners up in this category as I can't think of a single song from a movie last year which could possibly stand up against The Star Spangled Man. If you can please feel free to try and persuade me below...

The Woman In Black

Mini Review

http://thewomaninblack-movie.co.uk/

The Woman In Black is a film based on a play of the same name. For those unfamiliar with the play, it is a story of recently widowed Arthur Kipps (Radcliffe), who's wife unfortunately dies in childbirth, leaving Arthur with the baby. He is a young solicitor, trying to make partner at his firm. In order to prove himself to his employers, Arthur takes on the task of settling the estate of an elderly woman in a remote village. Upon arrival he is greeted coolly by the residents of the village and a number of attempts are made to get him to leave, before their secret, the woman in black, is discovered. 

I rather foolishly watched this at an early evening show on the first day of release and the screening was packed with shrieking school kids. This is because, equally foolishly, the distributers made the film a 12A certificate! My main reason for disagreeing with the certification is that shrieking kids rather ruin the spooky atmosphere being created by the filmmakers. My second is that in my humble opinion, this is too scary for 12 year olds (or younger). 

While the film is not particularly graphic or gory it is jumpy and the lady herself has quite grotesque features that stick in the mind long after the credits have rolled. The film itself is a good showcase for Radcliffe who quite sufficiently proves he can do more than Potter, even if he's not quite leading man material just yet - he's still a tad too young to be believable as a father and a widower. And as a horror it does everything it's meant to, makes you anticipate what's coming, makes you jump/cover your eyes in all the right places. But it's not a classic by any stretch. And even though I haven't seen the play I would put money on it being better and scarier.

On the whole, a satisfying spook-fest and a well told, interesting story. Just either see it at a late night screening with no children or wait for the DVD. 7.5 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 10th February 2012

UK Release Date - 10th February 2012 

Cast Overview:

Daniel Radcliffe ~ Arthur Kipps

Ciaran Hinds ~ Sam Daily

Janet McTeer ~ Elizabeth Daily

Sophie Stuckey ~ Stella Kipps

Misha Handley ~ Joseph Kipps

Liz White ~ Jennet Humfrye

Director ~ James Watkins

Writer(s) ~ Susan Hill (Novel) and Jane Goldman (Screenplay)

The Lady K Academy Film Awards Day 8 - Best Animated Film

I have just been watching an interview with the director of Wall.e Andrew Stanton.  And while the winner of my award for Best Animated Film does not come close to the emotion I felt at watching Wall.e, it was definitely the best of the bunch of last years animated films.

The award for Best Animated Film goes to... Cars 2

As I said above, Cars 2 didn't quite have the emotion of some of Pixar's earlier films like Monsters Inc, Toy Story 2 or Wall.e but it did have a lot of great qualities. My review had this to say:

"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. "

So there you have it. The trailer below is just for extra incentive, if you need it.

Runners Up:
Tangled
Puss In Boots

What animated film did you love last year?

Man On A Ledge

Mini Blog

http://www.manonaledge.com/

Much like The Darkest Hour, the trailer for Man On A Ledge seemed to be around for ages before the film actually came out. Despite the terrible title for the film the trailer did at least intrigue me enough to make me want to see the film.

And boy am I glad I did. I actually saw Man On A Ledge twice as I enjoyed it so much. The premise is simple, the 'man' of the title is Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington), an ex cop who was sent to prison for stealing a $40 million diamond. The only thing is that he says he didn't do it. So he escapes from prison during a day release for his father's funeral and steps out on the 'ledge' of the title to prove his innocence.

I am the first to admit that from the title alone this sounds like a bad film, the trailer doesn't make it look that much better but if you take a chance on this film I think you will find that it's a tense, slick, fast paced thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat within the first 10 minutes and hold you there for the next hour and a half. The actors have all been perfectly cast for their individual roles, even if they're not always a perfect match with their accents. If you can put that one niggle aside this is a great film that will continue to play on your mind long after you've left the cinema.

One of the most exciting thrillers I've seen in a while. Brings to mind how I felt when I saw Disturbia, under-rated, surprisingly good and made me want to see it again. 8.5 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 9th February 2012

UK Release Date 3rd February 2012

Cast Overview: 

Sam Worthington ~ Nick Cassidy

Elizabeth Banks ~ Lydia Mercer

Jamie Bell ~ Joey Cassidy

Anthony Mackie ~ Mike Ackerman

Genesis Rodriguez ~ Angie Lopez

Ed Harris ~ David Englander

Kyra Sedgwick ~ Suzie Morales

Edward Burns ~ Jack Dougherty

Titus Welliver ~ Dante Marcus

William Sadler ~ Valet

Director ~ Asger Leth

Writer ~ Pablo F Fenjves