Captain America, Super 8, Horrible Bosses and much more!

This is Summer Blockbuster season and I have been pleasantly surprised by some of the films on offer this year. I loved the nostalgic 70s feel of Super 8 and the sense of adventure. I was also thoroughly entertained by Captain America: The First Avenger. You can read my reviews of both over on Starburst Magazine: Captain America & Super 8

In other film news I was amused by Charlie Day in Horrible Bosses, to be honest I think I am a little obsessed with him as you will probably be able to tell from my review. If you haven't already seen a little TV show called It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, I suggest you check it out as it has both Danny Devito and Charlie Day in. Win! I absolutely loved Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer in Beginners , a wonderful exploration into a father/son relationship. I caught up with the latest Japanese release Sawako Decides, which was genuinely unique and enjoyable. I wasn't "clever" enough to LOVE The Tree of Life but I certainly enjoyed aspects of it. I was slapped round the face with an account of the atrocities of the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina in As If I Am Not There based on the book by Slavenka Drakulic.

I managed to catch the post-apocalyptic vampire flick Stake Land and thought Mel Gibson was particularly impressive in The Beaver

I thought Diaz was a devilish delight in the comedy Bad Teacher and watched the mildly entertaining horror flick Mother's Day . And finally I  unapologetically got caught up in some dance movie love for Honey 2!

PS. Some of the older links on my blog are not working at the moment due to some technical issues, but they are being updated at the moment.  

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two

In 2001 I was studying at the University of Reading when Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was released at cinemas. Having read all four of the books that had been released I was extremely excited to be able to experience Harry Potter on the big screen. I wandered down to the local Vue cinema for a midnight screening with my boyfriend’s sister and can remember wholly enjoying the film. I thought the casting was perfect and the visuals were magical; I was hooked. Looking back it is pretty obvious some of the acting isn’t that great and the films all fall down on certain things but the essence of the book has been captured with its childlike innocence and focus on the importance of friendship, love and integrity set in a world of wizards and magic.  Watching the final Potter film at a press screening in 2011 would not have been imaginable to me back then, but there I sat feeling slightly nauseous at having to say farewell to this fabulous franchise. I can’t believe it’s all over now but I am sure I will be enjoying the films for a long time to come. You can read my review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two here