Movies #24-28 - Fast and the Furious franchise

There are five films in this franchise that I love so much but I'm not gonna go into the plot of each of them in detail, because the focus on all of them is fast cars and pretty people. The fast and the furious tells the story of Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker), an LAPD officer who's sent undercover to infiltrate the illegal street racing scene where he meets Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), a professional street racer. The two soon develop a friendship but Brian is always worried he'll get found out especially when his loyalties start to shift away from the LAPD. Good, fast paced film that goes at full speed and doesn't stop until its crossed the finish line :) In 2 Fast 2 Furious ex-cop Brian O'Conner teams up with his ex-con friend Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson) and works with undercover U.S. Customs agent Monica Fuentes (Eva Mendes) to bring a Miami-based drug lord down. This is probably my least favourite in the franchise but its still pretty decent, it's a bit silly and it doesn't have the great story that the original has, but 2 Fast 2 Furious is an enjoyable movie with great races in, a guilty pleasure. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift takes a different turn to the previous two, with none of the original actors returning and the film being set in Tokyo, hence the name. The film focuses on 17-year old Sean Boswell (Lucas Black) who gets sent to live with his dad in Tokyo because his mum is tired of Sean always getting into trouble. When he arrives he discovers the world of drifting and loves it but he must learn how to do it first. A decent sequel that was better than the second, setting it in Tokyo introduces a new world of neon the audience hasn't seen before, but with the departure of both leads Diesel and Walker, the third installment loses some of its nitrous oxide spark. Fast & Furious finally reunites Vin Diesel and Paul Walker which I was very happy about! These two rivals are forced to unite in the cause of fighting a common enemy and in order to take down a formidable opponent Dominic and Brian must work together but they must set aside their differences in order to do so. Fast & Furious is packed with high speed chases and action packed fighting, it doesn't offer much else but know one actually cares, we see these films for the action and it delivers.

Fast Five follows Dominic, Brian and Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster) as they plan a heist to steal $100 million from a corrupt businessman, while being pursued by agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson). This one is my favourite in the franchise, I don't know how but the series has reached a new exciting level that injects new life into the franchise. I think it might be because of the new heist format, it makes it another kind of thrill.

Movie #23 - Forces Of Nature

Ben Holmes (Ben Affleck) is on his way to Savannah, Georgia for his wedding and he's already nervous about flying. His nerves aren't helped when he's seated next to Sarah (Sandra Bullock), a free–spirit person who seems to get on his nerves. On takeoff, a bird flies into one of the engines, causing a flameout. Now afraid to fly, he reluctantly agrees to travel with Sarah, who also needs to get to Savannah within a few days. On their journey Ben starts to question if he's making the right choice by getting married because of the connection he feels with Sarah. I bought this because I love Sandra Bullock and Ben Affleck and the two of them in the same movie, I though to myself 'how have I only just found out about this movie?' however it was not as good as i wanted it to be, the chemistry between the two of them is a little flat. Although it does have it's comical moments and some heart warming moments. However, overall a dissapointment.

Movie #22 - Flypaper

This is a really funny movie, i've lost count on how many times i've seen it. Flypaper is about two bank heists happening at the same time, at the same bank! This of course provides all sorts of laughs because the hostages are very different in their odd little ways, this film will also have you guessing at the end to who is the mastermind behind all of it, because it's someone in the bank. Star studded cast with Patrick Dempsey, Ashley Judd, Mekhi Phifer with Tim Blake Nelson and Pruitt Taylor Vince.

Movie #20 and 21 - Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2

I think most people have seen both if not one of these movies, but they are your typical chick flicks and there is nothing wrong with a good chick flick especially if you're a chick! It's about a Barbie-type beverly hills girl who ends up getting dumped by her boyfriend and in order to win him back she studies hard and gets accepted to Harvard Law, which just so happens is the school that her ex is now attending. It's funny and cute and makes me happy that i'm a girl. The second one is life after law school, after she's graduated and now belonging to a law firm, the film is about how she is trying to get a bill passed to stop testing on animals for cosmetics. Not as good as the first one but still provides some laughs.

Movie #19 - Practical Magic

Okay, so this film is my all time favourite and I've seen quite a few! It's about two sister witches, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman who accidently end up killing a man, twice. He then proceeds to haunt them, while a policeman is investigating him. If you have a sister this film will want to make you hug her afterwards, which is sometimes not an easy thing to have happen to you, trust me, I know! This film has heart and soul and also a real sense of family, the perfect blend of wiccan charm and old fashioned fantasy. It will make you laugh and cry, and maybe even compel you to go out and buy the book. I did! 5 STARS!

Movie #18 - The Blind Side

Brilliant movie about a rich southern family taking in a teenage boy known as "Big Mike" and the journey they take in getting him a football scholarship. It's funny and sad and a beautiful work of art. In my opinion this is one of Bullock's greatest performances, if not the best. This film really has it all, and it's also quite a feel-good film, only you don't realise this until after you've seen it. I definately recommend.

Movie #17 - The Lake House

Alex Wyler and Kate Forster, respectively an architect living in 2004 and a doctor living in 2006. The two meet via letters left in a mailbox at the lake house they have both lived in at separate points in time; they carry on correspondence over two years, remaining separated by their original difference of two years. For Alex the time goes from 2004 to 2006. For Kate the time goes from 2006 to 2008. Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves star in this lovely movie about love, facing obstacles and in this case, time. It's a really nice movie, both actors are great in it. I cried a couple of times but this film has a satisfying ending.

Movie #16 - Wimbledon

Peter Cort was once ranked 11th in the world, but now he's getting older and has dropped to 100 and something and is coming up to his last wimbledon before he retires. In walks Lizzie Bradbury! A fiery American who is determined to win wimbledon and doesn't plan on falling for anyone, especially Peter! The two strike up a whirlwind romance that gives his game new life--but she insists it's going to be nothing but a passing fling. Very cute movie. Okay, so this one is in my top ten and even if you dislike tennis you just might find yourself watching it after seeing this movie. It's a great british rom-com.

Movie #15- Inception

Okay so everytime I watch this movie it completely baffles me. It's basically about people's dreams and dreams within dreams, and dreams within dreams within dreams? :/ Like I said, baffling. The cast is great in this, and the ever increasingly popular Tom Hardy is excellent! This is a great movie but just a tad confuzzling, the ending is great and leaves the audience open to their own interpretations. Good buy and I whole-heartedly recommend.

Movie #13 and 14- My Girl and My Girl 2

Okay, so if you haven't seen the first one of these two, not so much the second, but the first is so cute and funny and sad and just a beautifully done movie.

They are about a quirky young girl who is convinced that anything wrong with her, from a splinter to a cold will result in her death. She's a bit of a tomboy due to the fact that her mum died when she was really young so was raised by her dad. It's all about growing up and dealing with death and learning to live life. They are great movies but the first one is a must see.

Movie #12- The Taking of Pelham 123

Now originally I wasn't all that fussed about seeing this movie, however my mum came home with it because she saw that it was on sale and she had liked the original so I gave it a go. I'm really glad I did because it's actually pretty good. The relationship between John Travolta - who plays a criminal Ryder who has taken over a train and holding the people on it hostage- and Denzel Washington's character Garber who is a subway dispatcher who is basically talking to Ryder throughout the movie trying to convince him not to kill anyone.

It's a good fast-paced movie with a few shock factors, I like it a lot! (dumb & dumber reference there, in case you didn't know)

Movie #11- Man on Fire

So this movie is amazing. Nuff said.
However since this is a review i'll talk a little bit about it.
A guy gets a job looking after a little girl, and by looking after I mean protecting her, like a bodyguard because her dad is some powerful guy in South America. The movie follows the relationship between the two grow and somehow they were exactly what the other needed. However as always bad things happen along the way and there is a twist at the end.

This truly is a great movie and I encourage everyone who hasn't seen this movie to go out and get it.

Movie #10- Clash of the Titans

Now again with the Greek Mythology here. Same reason as before, I love it!
Demi-God, Perseus, son of Zeus leads a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he seizes power from Zeus and unleashes the Kraken on the people of Argos.

I prefer this to the lightning thief, just a little bit, because this one is just a bit more grown up and doesn't remind me of Disney's Hercules- not that there is anything wrong with that. Again some great actors involved and great cinematography. I 100% recommend this film.

Movie #9- Percy Jackson and the Lightning thief

I love anything to do with greek mythology or fairytales etc. so I had to get this one. Percy Jackson is pretty ordinary, he lives with his mum and her dead beat boyfriend. He has never met his father, who happens to be Poseidon. He then goes on to find out about this mythical world and all the people in it because he is accused of stealing Zeus' lightning bolt. He sets off on a journey to prove his innocence, recover the bolt and prevent a war amongst the gods.

Now although this sounds a bit stupid, it's funny and actually pretty well done. It has a great cast including Sean Bean, Uma Thurman, Steve Coogan and Pierce Brosnan.
Beautiful shots in this film and it made me wish it were real.

Movie #8- A little princess

So I saw this on TV the other day but missed the beginning, and this movie is such a reminder of my childhood that I just had to get it on DVD. Set during WW2, Sarah is sent to a boarding school in New york, after living in India for most of her life, because her father is going to war. The place is very strict so when she arrives with stories of india and an imagination like none you've ever known, the girls there are swept away by it all. She suffers hardships in the movie and manages to overcome them.

This movie is wonderful and captures the innocence of theses girls beautifully. It made me laugh and cry like anything. It makes you believe in magic and possibility.

Movie #7- How to deal

Halley is a teenage girl who is convinced that love doesn't exist thanks to her parents' divorce. That is until she meets a boy who might just change her mind.

This film is pretty much your typical girly Rom-Com. Boy and girl fall in love, boy loses girl, boy wins girl back. However i'm a sucker for these movies and I love Mandy Moore. Also the relationship between her character and Trent Ford's character is completely cute and whacky. Sweet and funny movie, perfect for a night in with the girls.

Movie #6- Julie and Julia

The movie goes back and forth in time between legendary chef Julia Child and aspiring writer and food enthusiast Julie Powell.
The movie makes food out to be a biblical experience which sometimes it is. Meryl Streep and Amy Adams stars in this funny comedy about food, love and refusing to give up on the things you love. Well done to director Nora Ephron for this fabulous film.

Movie #5- Never Back Down

Jake Tyler moves to Orlando where the kids at his school are not like the ones he's used to. Jake goes from being a football star to being thrown into the world of street fighting where popular guy Ryan McCarthy reigns the champion.

It's not exactly Oscar worthy but it does it's job well. It has it's sexy guys and girls, great fight scenes and some funny dialogue. With young stars such as Sean faris, Amber Heard and Cam Gigandet. Good movie.

Movie #4- Sunshine Cleaning

Two sisters in desperate need of money start a buisness together called Sunshine Cleaning, despite the cheery name their businness happens to be a cleaning service for crime scenes. So when a person dies a horrible bloody death, Rose and Norah are called to clean up. Even though they are dealing with death every day the two grow closer and are finally there for one another, whatever the situation may be.

A beautifully done movie with real life problems and relationships. Amy Adams and Emily Blunt do a wonderful job of playing sisters and make you love each of them for being quirky, maternal, depressed, loving, desperate ... REAL.

Movie #3- Elf

I think most people have seen this movie and it has now become a sign that christmas is near if it is being played on the telly. As a baby he crawled in to Santa's sack and got taken back to the North Pole where he was raised by papa elf. Buddy comes to realize he doesn't fit in with the other elves and goes on a search for his real dad in New York City.

Very funny and heart warming family movie and filled with christmas spirit, all of which belongs to Buddy. It's funny and silly and an all round good movie.

Movie #2- Dorian Gray

Based on the book 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. He is young, rich and handsome and after being introduced to the seedy pleasures of London life, Dorian swears he would give anything to stay young.

It's quite a good adaption of the book. Director Oliver Parker captures a gritty and darker version of London creating almost an underworld of sins and sex. This movie is well cast with the likes of Colin Firth and Rebecca hall, including Ben Barnes as Dorian Gray, who is charming but sadistic. Towards the end of the movie you can't help but fall a little bit in love with him despite his past discretions.

Movie #1- Without a Paddle

Without a paddle is about three childhood friends who reunite at a funeral and decide to go on a bit of a treasure hunt which takes them in to the woods, down a river and without a paddle. It stars Seth Green (Austin powers), Matthew Lillard (Scooby Doo) and Dax Shepard (When in Rome). Also an appearence by Burt Reynolds.

Very funny film, with three great actors and a scene that involves Green's character being mistaken for a cub and taken away by a bear. Although it sounds silly it is sure to provide some laughs.

So lets start by saying that this blog is just my opinions on movies, old and new. What I'm going to do is work my way through my DVD collection (so we could be here a while) and any movies I go to see at the cinema. I don't expect anyone to be reading this blog but in the off chance that there is, I'm sorry.