Whitney Houston

(1963-2012)

Review: The Muppets

It's time to play the music, it's time to light the lights, it's time to meet the Muppets as they are back on the big screen after their last cinema appearance 11 years ago. In this new adventure written by and starring "How I Met Your Mother" star Jason Segal, the Muppets meet their biggest fan, new Muppet Walter, who after hearing from the evil Tex Richman, played by Chris Cooper, that the old Muppet theatre is being torn down, Walter along with his human brother Gary (Segal) and Gary's girlfriend Mary, played by Amy Adams, go to get Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Swedish Chief, Animal, Scooter, god I could go on there's so many of them, anyway they go to get them back together after they've been apart for a long time, to perform a show to save their old theatre. The movie is just gorgeous, a wonderful sense of nostalgia is felt throughout it and just seeing these characters that I've loved since I was a kid, was just pure gold it really was. Great songs, acting, very funny, surprise celebrity cameos and I think you may cry a little bit... I certainly nearly did. Thank god for Jason Segal who wrote the movie and brought the Muppets back on the big screen, I am very proud to give "The Muppets";

4/5-Excellent


Manah, Manah!

Review: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D

Ladies and Gentleman, it's time to return... 'A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away!'

Sorry I just had to do that. But yes, the "Star Wars" saga is back on the big screen in 3D. I cannot tell you how happy I am that I get to see these movies again being as I told you before the biggest "Star Wars" fan. For those who don't know "Star Wars", "Phantom Menace" will be a great start into this magnificent film series, that has become a global phenomenon. But onto what I thought of "Phantom Menace" itself, I first saw it back in 1999 when I was I think 11 years old. I was so excited to see the movie being a fan of the original and great trilogy and watching it now that I'm 23 and seeing it in one of the cinemas I first saw it in, was pretty magical. But the movie itself, I gotta say, while most fans consider this the least popular of the saga, I really like "Phantom Menace'. I mean yes it's a bit childish and silly in some places and it stars literally the most annoying film character ever created, Jar Jar Binks, but funny thing is I love him for being annoying... well okay not that much. But it does have some spectacular sequences in it, such as the underwater scenes, the pod-race scene and the final light-sabre duel with a memorable "Star Wars" villain, Darth Maul and his awesome double-edge light-sabre. And let's not be forgetting John William's iconic music which gets me excited every time. So that's what I love about the movie I saw when I was 11, but now onto the changes that Mr George Lucas has done. First of all Yoda has been changed into his CG self, that we saw in the later prequel films, and originally he was his puppet self from the original trilogy, but I think he looks better in CG. And of course there's the 3D which I thought, if being honest, no effect whatsoever. But hey I'm not surprised or ticked off, I was just happy that I'm seeing possibly the best film series ever made back on the big screen. Enjoy your journey back a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. Sorry I said it again, couldn't help it. But anyway I'd like to give "Phantom Menace' itself;

4/5-Very Good


And a;

2/5-Poor (For the 3D).

Happy Birthday John Williams

Big News today guys as one of the greatest living composers who has brought us the most memorable scores ever heard, there isn't anyone in the world who hasn't heard them, turns 80 today. The legendary John Williams. To celebrate here is my list of 25 of his greatest pieces of work in my opinion, they need no description and no introduction. Happy Birthday Mr Williams, may the force be with you!

1. The Flying Theme from "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" (1982).



2. The Raider's March (Indiana Jones Theme) from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981).



3. Theme from "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" (1977).



4. Theme from "Superman: The Movie" (1978).

5. The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) from "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back" (1980).




6. Theme from "Jaws" (1975).



7. Theme from "Jurassic Park" (1993).



8. Theme from "Schindler's List" (1993).



9. Flight to Neverland from "Hook" (1991).



10. Hedwig's Theme from "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (2001).



11. Hymn to the Fallen from "Saving Private Ryan" (1998).



12. Duel of the Fates from "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" (1999).



13. The Dance of the Witches from "The Witches of Eastwick" (1987).

14. Main Titles and Somewhere in my Memory from "Home Alone" (1990).




15. Main Titles from "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" (2011).




16. Harry's Wondrous World from "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (2001).




17. Luke and Leia's Theme from "Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi" (1983).




18. Love Theme from "Superman: The Movie" (1978).




19. Where Dreams Are Born from "A.I. Artificial Intelligence" (2001).



20. Yoda's Theme from "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back" (1980).



21. Princess Leia's Theme from "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" (1977).



22. Cadillac of the Skies from "Empire of the Sun" (1987).




23. Suite from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977).




24. Plowing from "War Horse" (2011).




25. The Throne Room & Finale from "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" (1977).

Review: Man on a Ledge

My next review of February is for the new action thriller set-piece "Man on a Ledge". Sam Worthington plays Nick Cassidy, a former cop arrested for being accused of stealing a $40,000,000 diamond from a guy named David Englander, played by Ed Harris. Nick escapes from police custody and heads to New York where to prove his innocence, stands outside on ledge to the Roosevelt Hotel while his brother and his brother's girlfriend steal the diamond, and the rest if you wanna know, see the film to find out what Nick's got in mind. Anyway that being said, the movie although it's no masterpiece is still enjoyable but at times pretty silly, it kind of reminded me of "Phone Booth" it being a centre-piece in Manhattan but with a few different things. Also if you wanna see the incredibly gorgeous Genesis Rodriguez in her bra at one point, then trust me it will be worth the money. Kind of. Anyway I'd give "Man on a Ledge" a decent and good fun;

3/5-Good

Review: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

My next review for February is the new fun family adventure "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island", sequel to 2008's "Journey to the Centre of the Earth". In the sequel, Josh Hutcherson reprises his character from the first film Sean Anderson, who receives a radio signal from his grandfather, played by the legendary Sir Michael Caine, saying he's found Jules Verne's Mysterious Island. Accompanied by his step father, played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson they begin searching for Sean's grandfather on the island, and come face to face with giant lizards, tiny elephants and Sean gets a tip from his step father on how to impress the girl of their team, played by Vanessa Hudgens, that is to pop his pecks. The movie I thought was awesome, it's a great family adventure, filled with laughs, cool action scenes and good performances as well. However it won't make kids read about Jules Verne, but never the less they'll still have an awesome 3D ride, and now can I say, good to finally have a 3D film where the 3D effects come in handy! Any way I'm pleased to give "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island";

3/5- Good

Review: The Descendants

Hey guys, welcome to February of 2012, and to kick it off I have another review and this is for George Clooney's new film and what won him the Golden Globe this year for best actor in a drama, "The Descendants". Clooney plays Matt King, a man along with his family live in Hawaii where he learns that after his wife has a boat accident and is in a coma, it will be unlikely that she will wake up from it. With Matt and his two daughters realising a tragic loss they have to go through, he learns that his wife was keeping a very big secret from him and one that they test the fact on whether or not he will always love her. The film is just absolutely brilliant, the script is superb, smart, witty and sad at the same time and I think by far this is Clooney's best performance. He does what he does best as an actor he portrays emotion brilliantly and knows when to be funny in a scene, and I could easily tell that this role was made for him. I would absolutely recommend this lovely, lovely film to all people I know whether you're a George Clooney fan or not. I proudly give "The Descendants";

5/5-Superb