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Reviews
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Hungry for more!
After winning the games in the first film, the couple Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) along with Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) are now world famous superstars however not all is as it seems. President Snow is set out to destroy Katniss, so he creates a more challenging Hunger Games with all the previous winners, this game will be harder, and more brutal than ever before.
Now admittedly I always put of watching this series, however after I sat down and watched the first film I was addicted, and ran to the cinema that same evening to see catching fire. This is what I call a good sequel. It feels like the first film but with more grit, it has all the actors from the previous film, the continuity is exact, all which makes this an amazing sequel. The Hunger Games challenge keeps you on the edge of the seat as they aren't just facing each other, but the game maker, which adds a new element of surprises as well as heartbreak. The ending of the film makes you want more which is why I cant wait for The Hunger Games: Mokingjay part 1.
The editing is sublime with special effects being at its greatest. Although I didn't see this in 3D, I could imagine it will be spectacular.
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Turbo (2013)
Shellshockingly good!
When I first heard about this film I did let out a sigh. A film based on snails taking part in a race???? However this film surprised and made me laugh, as well as rooting for Turbo to win the race! The story is about how a snail named Turbo (Ryan Reynolds), who has a freak acciedent which allows his to move at supersonic speed, and with the help from his snail crew, he takes part in the fastest race in the world. This animation is created by Dreamworks who brought us Shrek (and its many many many sequels)and Madagascar. This star cast make the movie what it is with voices from Samuel L Jackson, Snoop Dogg and Michelle Rodriguez. So if your a fan of any of them actors, you will not be disappointed, as they deliver the comedy through there brilliant vocals. There is a warm element to the film, which makes you root for this snail to win, which I feel is Dreamworks specialty, allowing viewers to connect to characters that are of a different species. Its suited for audience of all ages, as the jokes are aimed at everyone, which I feel is a perfect touch. I feel that what you see on trailers is what your gonna get, and if you like funny, random, with a bit of a warm touch, then you will love this movie and be cheering all the way!
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Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)
Cloudy with a chance of Humour
When I heard about this sequel, admittedly I was screaming.....WHY??? However after watching the film, I soon began to understand. The story is set after the first one, where Flint (Bill Hader) is now working for his Idol, however he soon discovers that his machine he created in the first movie, is still operational and is producing menacing food-animal hybrids. Yes, I agree it sounds crazy right? However it does allow the film to be funny through the various animal puns, for example a 'Shrimpanzee' and many many more. The first movie I felt was clever, whereas this one I feel is based on more of the humour elements. The hybrids are sweet as well as very clever, and I feel that they make the movie work. Flint is still as clumsy and crazy as ever, and thankfully some of the characters from the first film have more screen time, the only actor absent is Mr T, however Terry Crews still delivers a very funny performance as the policeman. I haven't seen this in 3D however I could see how elements will be awesome to see, though it delivers just as good in 2D. Its fun, enjoyable, paves way for a third and is suitable for all audiences.
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Gravity (2013)
It's out of this world!
This film is truly and utterly amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The film is completely set in space, starring 'George Clooney' and 'Sandra Bullock'. It shows a group of astronauts on a space mission, till a satellite is blown up near by. Whilst trying to abort the mission, things turn for the worst, and one astronaut, ends up alone and has to try and make their way back to earth. When watching this film I was so tense that I couldn't move. The cinema was completely silent during and after the film. The story grips you from the beginning as we become connected to the characters, we start to like them. When things start to get to go wrong we instantly root for the astronaut to get back alive, however we as an audience haven't all experienced being trapped in space, so we have no answers. Not many people consider the fact that it is silent in space, which the film uses to its advantage, sound sets the mood and sense of the loneliness, which when watching this film, I felt the same emotions. We see the astronaut make progress and then almost like a rug pulled under the feet, its taken away. This is done throughout making me want to shout 'COME ON!'. The effects are just incredible, you believe that they are in space, and with the techniques of the person person view, I felt like I was there with them, which is an achievement as I'm usually sitting there thinking 'that would never happen'. This Sci-Fi drama proves that you don't need aliens in a movie for it to be good. Sorry not good, amazing! This film is one definitely to see in 3D, everything comes flying out at you, its the best 3D film I have ever seen and yet I have seen hundreds. It would be really good in 2D as well, just make sure your comfortable and don't leave your seat.
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Thor: The Dark World (2013)
UnTHORgettable - http://joshwhitnallfilmreviews.blogspot.co.uk/
YES! He's back for a third time on our big screens, but this time things appear to be a bit darker and Thor becomes more desperate for help. I felt the first Thor movie was good, but could of been a lot better as I felt it lacked in the action side of things and concentrated more on humor. The Avengers movie showed more of Thor's strength and abilities but I still felt like he was holding back.
The story of the film shows Thor (Chris Hemsworth), making up for Loki's (Tom Hiddleston) mistakes by clearing up the nine rounds 'planets', and shows that he doesn't feel like he belongs anymore and misses his mortal lover, Jane (Natalie Portman). He soon manages to reunite with her, but an evil elf named Malekith returns from the past to destroy everything in his path. Thor soon realizes he cannot do this alone, and takes desperate measures by asking Loki for help but the question is can Thor trust him?
This new film is the definition of awesomeness. This time we get to see a lot more action, which is both clever as well as fun. We see the hammer used a lot more and we see more of Thor's strength, which helps to prove that he isn't a god to mess with! Marvel have always been clever with there humor and I feel this film is the funniest so far, yes even better than Iron Man 3! It manages to make you laugh even in the more serious of moments. Christopher Eccleston I felt brought a lot to the role of Malekith, despite the face he was unrecognizable, his voice managed to bring originality as well as the sense of darkness that was needed. In the first movie I felt it was hard to connect with Thor, as he is obviously a God, who is hard to be beaten. However in this film I felt more connected, as you could sense his emotional pain, which is mainly loneliness.
If you like action, a good laugh as well as a good story, then please go and see this amazing film! Also look out for the scene after the credits..............Enjoy!(for more reviews go to: http://joshwhitnallfilmreviews.blogspot.co.uk/