Silly me

Silly me I forgot a rather major trailer which should have been number one on my list really. So now it gets a little post all of its own! Twilight New Moon is one of the most anticipated films of the year after the first film was such a huge success. So here is a little taster of it if you have yet to see the trailer in the cinema for yourself.

Im not a huge geeky fan but have read all of the books (although I do not think they are well written at all, just really good stories) so am looking forward to seeing how they interpret the next part of the story.

Also really looking forward to seeing Dakota Fanning who has grown up big time in the last few months. I think she is a great little actress and if she can make the transition from child to adult star without going off the rails as many do I think she will have a long career ahead of her. She looks haunting as Jane in the trailer so hopefully she will be just as good on the big screen.

A few trailers

Just a few tasty trailers for your viewing of some up and coming films that Im looking forward to

First up The Box Due out 4th December. Starring Cameron Diaz, Arthur Lewis and Arlington Steward. A couple have to decide wether to push the button and kill a stranger for $1 million or not. Think it could be interesting.

Next up Cold Souls due out 13th November. Starring paul Giamatti as himself. I love the idea that we could store our souls. And think this could be a dark comedy with some deadpan humor.

Next Harry Brown which is already out. Starring Michael Caine as an OAP who decides to take justice into his own hands after his best friend is killed. This looks like an british version of Gran Torino which I loved so am really looking forward to seeing this.

Im also looking forward to Amelia starring Hilary Swank. A biopic about the life of Amelia Earhart.

Lastly Where the Wild Things Are looks like it could be awesome! I have never read the book so don't know the story at all but am looking forward to seeing this film. Critics so far have said it is a little darker than the book and has taken nearly 6 years to finish.

Ok so thats all for now but there are quite a few other interesting films out very soon so check back soon for more trailers and reviews.

Hope you enjoy them.

Daisymay XOXO

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009)

Directed by: Paul Weitz

Written by: Paul Weitz and Brian Helgeland

Starring: John C. Reilly, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia, Jessica Carlson, Patrick Furgit, Michael Cerveris, Selma Hayek and Jane Krakowski

Plot: There are quite alot of little details in this film which I could go into but for times sake I shall skirt across some of these and allow you to discover them for yourself. So I shall just try to give you the main story lines.

Darren (Massoglia) and Steve (Hutcherson) are normal teenage boys and best of friends. When they find a flyer for a touring freak show they decide to go even though they know it is illegal. While there they see many weird and wonderful acts, including a bearded lady (Hayek), a snake boy and a woman who can regenerate her limbs (Krakowski). But what catches

their attention most is Larten Crepsley, a vampire and his highly poisonous spider. Darren loves spiders and Steve is obsessed with vampires, so they are both drawn to this character. But Steve recognizes Crepsley from one of his historical vampire books so, after the show Steve confronts Crepsley and asks him to change him into a vampire. Crepsley says first he must test Steve's blood but when he does he says it is bad and that he will never turn Steve. Darren meanwhile has sneaked into Crepsley's room and steals the special spider. But after fleeing the building he is picked up by a strange man in a strange car (Cerveris) who talks to him about his destiny before dropping him home.

The boys reunite at school the next day, but Steve is shocked to discover that Darren has stolen the vampires spider. He accidentally releases it, then gets bitten by it and instantly falls into a coma. Darren visits Crepsley in hope of a cure and is told he can have the cure if he becomes a half-vampire. So he sacrifices himself and allows Crepsley to turn him. Steve starts to get better after the antidote is administered but Darren must now leave his family to live life as a

vampire. So Crepsley stages Darren's death but at the funeral Steve realizes that Darren has been turned and is very angry at being betrayed by his friend. After Crepsley has dug up Darren they both move into the Freak Show Campsite while Crepsley teaches Darren how to be a vampire. Vampires do not kill humans, just stun them to drink their blood but the Vampanezee race kill to feed. Steve meanwhile is changed by a Vampanezee member and decided to get revenge on Darren. And the battle begins.

I'm not gonna give any more than this because I think this is enough for you to get an understanding of the movie, and enough to help you decide whether or not it is the type of film for you.

Well the story is good but sadly very predictable. As it is based on a set of books written for teenagers I think it could have been a little bit more challenging and complex (like the Twilight seres). It is great for maybe the younger half of the teens but anybody over 15 would probably finding it lacking a little bit. They could really have worked more with some of the interesting characters that are within the Cirque du Freak. Although I have never read the book so do not know whether they tried to keep it true to the book rather than allowing it to evolve a little to make it more appealing to an older audience. It is a simple and easy to follow story line making it a very chilled viewing experience.

Chris Massoglia's acting is up to a fair standard considering

how early in his career this is. It is pretty much his first decent major role, having done small TV parts and the film 'The Hole' up until now. As vampires, in this film, do not really look or act very differently to humans he had a relatively easy job or transforming form one to the other.

John C. Reilly and Michael Cerveris are the big stars of the show, although the kids are technically the leads I suppose. Seeing as they are both well know and have a number of acting credits behind them you expect a good performance and luckily they do not disappoint. It is just a pity the scripting is again weak and a bit feeble. If it had been better they may have had something a bit meatier and more detailed to work with, to help them expand the characters.

The set and sceneries are possibly the best part.

Dark, eerie and a bit fun they give the film the atmosphere it needs. So my hats off to the set designers and locations scout you are possibly the only part of the team to really live up to the full potential behind this film. The filming itself is basic and nothing really exciting to talk about. No interesting techniques or anything out of the ordinary but I think this may have been a little pointless considering the weak scripting etc.

So overall I would say early teens will like it, adults may not. But if you just want something easy to see, maybe after a really hard day at work where you really can't be arsed to concentrate then it would be ok to see, as long as you don't go in expect too much of the film.

I would give it a 5 out 10

Couples Retreat (2009)

Directed by Peter Billingsley

Written by Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn and Dana Fox

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love, Jon Favreau, Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell, Kirsten Davis and Kali Hawk

Plot: Jason (Jason Bateman) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell) have failed to conceive and are heading for a divorce. But in an attempt to save their marriage they book a holiday to a couples therapy retreat. To help them afford the trip they book a group package and persuade their

friends, Dave (Vince Vaughn) and Ronnie (Malin Akerman), Joey (Jon Favreau) and Lucy (Kristen Davis), and divorced Shane (Faizon Love) and his current girlfriend Trudy (Kali Hawk) to join them. Problem is Jason and Ronnie tell their friends that they do not have to participate in the couples therapy and can simply enjoy the other luxuries on the island, this turns out not to be the case when they get there. All the couples have to participate or they must all leave.

When they arrive at Eden they are sent to Eden West the couples side, by Sctanley (Peter Serafinowicz) but Joey learns that Eden East is a singles side and just one big party, but no couples are

allowed there.After their first therapy session all four couples learn they have problems with their relationships and even Ronnie and Dave, who thought they were fine, need the therapy. They endure the resort owner Marcel's (Jean Reno) strange methods of therapy and couples bonding exercises. This includes swimming with sharks and yoga sessions with a very buff instructor named Salvadore (Carlos Ponce).

One night Trudy escapes to Eden East and the other seven leave Eden West in search of her. During the journey to Eden East Cynthia and Jason argue and the group splits up. Cynthia, Lucy

and Ronnie wander into the jungle and Joey, Dave, Jason and Shane continue to find Trudy in Eden East. The women meet up

with Salvadore and he offer to take them to Eden East to have some fun. The men stumble upon Sctanley's hut and he threatens to report them to Marcel, until games salesmen Dave challenges him to a Guitar Hero duel. Dave beats Sctanley and he gives them directions to Eden East. In Eden East Ronnie grows tired of drinking and eventually finds Dave again, and they leave the party for a more romantic trip to the waterfall. Joey sees Lucy with Salvadore and decides to knock him out, this rekindles the past passion of their marriage bringing them together again. Cynthia and Jason share drinks and admit their problems. Shane runs in to his ex-wife, who admits she still loves him and wants to try again. Shane then sees Trudy and decides it is time to end his relationship with her and sets her free to enjoy the singles island.

All four couples return to Eden West. Marcel meets the couples the following morning. At first he seems annoyed at them for disobeying his rules but soon sees that they have worked out their problems and he frees them from the therapy and tells them they may finally go enjoy the rest of the resort.

I don't really have a huge amount to say about this film. It was neither here or there really. It was kinda funny but kinda not. Kinda well scripted and kinda not. Kinda good but kinda not! Just Kinda! I suppose!

There was quite a few laughs, some really good adult humored ones. But there were often scenes where the couples would have a serious-ish talk and you would be waiting for the funny bit and it

just wouldn't come, leaving you feeling a little disappointed. The ludicrousness of some of the situations is just silly. And the scripting is sometimes a bit lacking.

Now I don't mean to stereotype or sound vain but for some reason all the women cast are thin and really beautiful but they are paired with very unlikely husbands. They men aren't unattractive but they are slightly larger and not exactly handsome. The couples are just really not suited to each other, especially Lucy and Joey! Saying that the acting is all good but it is a cast of very good actors so that is the least you expect really. Jason Bateman and Kirsten Bell are especially good as they deal with the slightly more difficult and heartfelt story line.

The story line is so predictable and something you have sort of seen in other films. It is nothing new or different and to be honest its a bit boring. You get fed up of seeing stories that follow the same path and lead to the same ending, and this was one of those films. Its fine if you just want a cheesy chick flick that doesn't require much brain power to watch. It just flows easily,

something you could play in the background and still get all of it.

Thats all I really have to say to be honest. The best part of the film is the island itself, its stunning, the perfect romantic destination.

I would give this a 4 out of 10. Which I know is really low but its just not a very exciting film. I would advise you wait till it comes out on DVD or even until they air it on TV to save you spending any money on it really.

The Lovely Bones (2009) and Alice in Wonderland (2010)

I have recently seen the trailer for 'The Lovely Bones' (see below) and I am so glad they decided to make this into a film as I read the book years ago when it was first published and I really loved it. From the trailer it looks like they have made it a little more eerie but I can see why that would work. It is a brilliant and touching story written by Alice Sebold, I would advise you read it before the film as it is so well written. It has been brilliantly cast and with Peter Jackson as the director it should be filmed and edited well too. I just pray they do justice to the book!!Here's a little bit of plot for you: Young girl is murdered but her, soul I suppose is the only word to describe it ends up in a limbo world which is wonderful and evil all at the same time. Her family and the police try to solve the case and she tries to help from her limbo. She can't pass over until her body is found and justice is served!

Cast includes: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci (all awesome actors!!)

Some beautiful filming and CG stuff. I love the look of the Dali-esq rose opening under the ice that will be a stunning sequence!! There is going to be some really good imagery in this I think.

I also stumbled upon the new 'Alice in Wonderland' Trailer while looking for this. I was so excited when I heard this was Tim Burtons new project, it is going to be brilliant.

It has a stellar cast as always with his stuff. The list is huge!! Including: Johnny Depp, Anna Hathaway, Michael Sheen, Helena Bonham Carter (has he ever made a film that didn't star his wife at some point, although she just seems to fit most of the films he does, slightly strange), Alan Rickman, Crispin Glover, Christopher Lee, Stephen Fry, Timothy Spall and Matt Lucas. (Can you imagine how much that cast alone is costing him!)

Im so upset its not out until March next year though, ah well something to look forward to.

Loving this quote!! "There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it: You need to be as mad as a hatter"

So here is the trailer for that aswell, don't think you need a plot as its the same story I assume (although maybe with some Burton-esq twists!!)

Hope you enjoy them!

Daisymay XOXO

The Fourth Kind (2009)

When seeing Triangle tonight and Surrogates last week we also saw the trailer for 'The Fourth Kind'. Its a new alien abduction film, but what is different and strange about it is that they are claiming it is based on true footage and material. The story is that Dr Abigail Tyler uncovers a number of strange and disturbing alien events through real consultations with some of her patients in Alska. The film uses real and re-constructed footage to illustrate the cases and investigate the story. What we don't know is wether the footage is genuine or simply publicized as being genuine as a marketing stunt. I have tried googling for some info but so far have come up with nothing, surely if this footage is real, firstly we would have known about some of it before now and secondly the patients would have something to say about it being used. Its a bit like the Blair Witch I feel, where we are led to believe the footage is really to make the story more interesting and compelling and to make people talk about it more (a viral campaign!)

Here is the trailer if any of you are interested in seeing it. We shall defiantly be seeing it, even if it is all fake, as it looks interesting and I love Milla Jovovich!

Hope you enjoy it!

Daisymay XOXO

Triangle (2009)

Directed and written by: Christopher Smith (He also wrote Severence and Creep)

Cast: Melissa George and Liam Hemsworth

Running time: 99mins

Random fact: Budget was $12 million

General plot: I really don't want to give to much away about this film because if you do decide to go and see it the unfolding of the strange story i

s really the best part of the film, the not really knowing what's going to happen is kinda the point I feel. So here is a very brief overview without any spoilers. A group of friends set off on a yacht trip but Jess has a strange feeling something isn't quite right. They soon get caught in

a freak storm and the boat is overturned. To reach safety they board a passing ocean liner. When aboard the ship seems empty even though they saw someone on the top deck before they boarded. Jess gets the worst case of deja vu when she starts to recognize the ships interior. They soon find they are not alone and the other passenger is intent on killing them all!

A strangely twisting and slightly confusing story. Not totally terrifying but it is full of good jumpy parts and even a few slightly gory scenes (nothing compared to his last two films) I think this is the best of Christopher Smiths films so far though. The story line is relatively strong

with a good concept behind it. The sheer desperation of the lead character, Jess (Melissa

George) is what keeps the viewer intent on seeing the film through to the end. As with many

horror films it is the viewers want to see whether the lead can make it out alive that makes us want to watch it. As I said it is a little confusing in parts but the twists within the story make it well worth watching. Melissa George did a really good job of playing Jess, she makes it a very believable character. She has the look of slightly anxious, slightly determined and slightly hysterically mad about her. She manages to be scared and frail one minute and strong and determined then next and apologetic throughout! That sounds totally weird but you will see what I mean.

The filming was also very well done. You get some lovely panning shots of the sea, the liner, the storm, the road when she is not at sea and certain parts of the boat. They using the panning shot to reveal some of the twists which works really well (You kinda wanna go OMG at a certain part when the camera pans along the

deck revealing a certain secret of the story) It was a very nice technique. They use the traditional moving handicam on some parts aswell, usually when the characters are running so you get the juddery motion to give the sense of us running behind them.

I feel there were a few sequences which didn't really seem to fit though, they seemed kinda

outta sync with the rest of the film. The mouldy food on the table and the old music in certain scenes seemed wrong somehow. Many people in the cinema came out saying that it was a rubbish film but although I wouldn't say it was great and probably would not go buy it on DVD I do think it was worth watching as it was, like I said an interesting concept. If your like me you

will spend most of the film trying to piece together the bits of storyline to work out what is happening and how she will survive.

I would give it a 6 out of 10. A midway mark coz it feels like it needed more work and a better ending. I'm not a fan of strange endings!!

Hope you all enjoy it!

Daisymay XOXO