Trailer: Super 8

Super 8 is brought to you by Steven Spielberg and JJ Abrams (LOST & Cloverfield) Released in the US back in June, it opened today nationwide in the UK.

I've heard good things about the film, seen numerous trailers, but still, I am not really feeling particularly 'excited' about this just yet.

"After witnessing a mysterious train crash, a group of friends in the summer of 1979 begin noticing strange happenings going around in their small town, and begin to investigate into the creepy phenomenon."

-IMDB

Trailer: Final Destination 5

Good luck getting out of that one!

If you don't like sequels, don't watch them it's very simple to avoid. 

See what happens is when others are leaving their homes to go and watch a film, you don't go with them. 

You avoid trawling the Internet to find a decent copy of the film online and don't download it. 

You don't click on links talking about Final Destination 5 and you sure as hell do NOT watch the trailer. 

Trailer: The Amazing Spider-Man

New suit. New actor. New reboot.

Not to be confused as another sequel to Spider-Man 3. This new Spider-Man adventure is part of another Hollywood 'craze'...a reboot of the popular franchise.

Apple Store Meet & Greet and 'HUGE' Screening + Q&A with Noel Clarke & Johnny Harris

I do like this way of interactive promoting for films where the actors meet the fans and also take time out to answer questions about their career, current and upcoming projects.

Trailer: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

© 2011 Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures are going to have a very profitable 2011 it seems. This summer sees for them the release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Captain America in July and they'll take us out of the year and into 2012 with another sure fire action hit with Mission: Impossible.

See Transformers: Dark of the Moon Today! + What's in Store for Transformers 4?

Shia LeBeouf as Sam Witwicky in Transformers: Dark of the Moon

The third and final Transformers movie [starring Shia LeBeouf and directed by Michael Bay] opens in the US and UK on July 1st. The TV spots in the UK are advertising a June 29th advanced screening, but there are some cinema chains across the country showing Transformers from today [June 28th]. Check your local cinema for listings.

Thor: 5 Minute Movie Trailer!!

**ROLLING EYES** at the fact that Idris Elba is in this film.

Release Dates:
USA 6 May 2011
UK 20 May 2011

Have You Seen Inception? Still Confused? [NO SPOILERS]

I really need to see Inception again, but I'm not sure I'm getting it anymore after listening to this woman's 'explanation' of the movie. If you haven't seen the film, then don't listen to the You Tube video audio.

"Deprecio???" is that woman for real???

I always need to a movie TWICE before I give it a definitive yay or nay. Especially one as in depth as Inception. 

Why?

Even though I give it a yay. I want to give it a higher yay as I think it's totally deserving of it. I just want to be the one to do it and not be influenced by everyone saying it's amazing, just because everyone else has.

During a film I'm looking at facial expression, I'm taking in the plot, listening to dialogue, trying to make sense of it all, that sometimes I miss the little things, which are indeed major and crucial points to a film. Seeing it a second time I already know the beginning, the middle and the end and don't have to focus so much on what's going on and concentrate on the very small things that link it all together. 

Also as I have now seen it I can freely read and listen to other people's perceptions about what happened and why they think x, y and z happened which helps to tie up some loose ends where I may have not seen it. It doesn't spoil it for me [as I've already seen it], but actually enhances me for a second watch where I can see the same film again, but yet it appear like a brand new film to me all over again.

I want to be able to appreciate Inception fully, so hope to do that even more on a second view. After seeing the trailer again, and knowing the film from start to finish, I'm actually a lot keener seeing it again that I was the first time.

Leonardo DiCaprio is a stellar, incredible, and fine actor. I cannot wait for the day he wins a well deserved Academy Award.

Christopher Nolan is a total genius. A captivating and thought provoking film maker.

Hans Zimmer is a legendary music composer, who can add so much emotion to a finely crafted scene through music alone.

If you try and leave spoiler comments about the film I will NOT be publishing them. Not every single one of my blog readers has yet to see Inception, and as someone who is NOT a fan of spoilers will respect that!

Batman 3: Who Is The Riddler?? – Please Let The Rumours Be True!

Shortly after The Dark Knight hit our movie screens back in 2008, there was talk of the role of The Riddler being given to old, movie flopper, Chiclet teeth looking Eddie Murphy. Over half of me died on the inside at the thought of Eddie going anywhere near the Batman 3 film set, let alone being cast or considered for it.

• Leave the sole black lead character in the film as Morgan Freeman.We don't need Eddie coming in there f***ing up a good thing. Cast him, may as well cast Madea.
• Get Maggie Gyllenhaal OUT and Rachel McAdams IN as Rachel.
• Let the rumours be true and have Joseph Gordon-Levitt cast as The Riddler.

At this point only Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are confirmed returns for the third installment set to start filming in 2011 for a summer 2012 release. There is also no title for the film.

Joesph Gordon-Levitt has made the great transition from child to adult actor and is currently part of the cast of this week’s Hollywood blockbuster Inception [A Christopher Nolan film]. If you don’t already know Christopher Nolan [pictured left] is the man behind the great Batman remakes. Gone is the comic book crap that we were subjected to in the nineties, Nolan brought us a darker look and feel to Batman Begins and the Dark Knight. So far I’m just loving Nolan’s work.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is currently ‘interested’ in picking up the role as The Riddler. Anything other than Eddie Murphy, I swear! However if, they ever wanted to reprise The Joker in the Batman series I’m sure Joseph Gordon-Levitt would have a shot as he bears an uncanny resemblance to the late Heath Ledger. 

Whether he could pull off an incredible performance that Heath did with his own villainous character [if he gets the role as The Riddler], remains to be seen. I say give him a shot. From what I’ve seen of him so far he’s a great actor with so much more potential.

After the ridiculous talk of Eddie Murphy being up for the potential role, there were also whisperings of Johnny Depp taking it on also. I can definitely see a role like that going to Johnny. Either actor is good with me, just not Eddie Murphy, as he isn't talented enough for a Christopher Nolan production.

Hood Talk: Is There Industry Beef Between Adam Deacon & Noel Clarke?

Noel Clarke has been back in the UK after a 5 week working jaunt to LA having meeting after meeting whilst getting a little family time in. Hardly a vacation, as he explained in his latest blog post yesterday.

In this blog Noel told it like it was without exposing who it was. Noel’s better than me, cause I’ll call a mutha out in a heartbeat. That is MY Style! You f*** me over, I’m calling you out! What am I protecting you and your trife ways for? Loyalty done!

As a fan of both Adam and Noel ,and a follower of both of on Twitter, I noticed there hasn’t been much tweeting between the pair like there usually has.

The last thing I remember is Adam tweeting Noel to call him. That was during the World Cup. Since then…a whole lot of nothing [unless I missed a few], but my memory is good…trust me.

Adam seemed to have a few stressful days on Twitter where he ranted indirectly last week about the industry [whether that was related to what was going on as a result of Noel’s blog who knows]. Yesterday it was Noel’s turn followed by this extract from his blog post titled ‘LA BLOG’ 

Source: CLARKE UNCENSORED: ACCEPT NO IMITATIONS (NSFW)

“… now people I know are using the HOOD thing, and doing their own thing with it like it’s cool. I’m not gonna bad mouth anyone. But they should ask themselves if it is cool? Really?

Not the film. The film is fine. I support the idea. I encourage you all to go do your thing, I got love for everyone I’ve worked with and they know I have. I have supported them, in public and behind the scenes on projects, with advice, hooked them up with other people who gave them work, got things done for them that I wouldn’t for other people… I want them all to succeed, get out of their area if they want and do big things, and I was gonna help them do that. but why steal my shit to do it? Is that right?

I sat on my arse when I was broke as a joke and made up the whole HOOD thing, now it’s getting used without me to make cash, and exploit people who won’t know it’s not me doing it. don’t tar me with that brush.

It’s simple you do someone else’s thing WITH them, it’s a collaboration. You do someone else’s thing WITHOUT them. It’s called stealing, or as the lawyers have been calling it… Copyright infringement. (look it up)

…(Jack of all trades, master of at least 2… Accept no imitations)

P.S. Your thirty pieces of silver are in the post.”

LOOK it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what’s going on here.

Master of at least 2: KiDULTHOOD & AdULTHOOD

Accept no imitations: ANUVaHOOd??

Adam is writing, starring and directing a film called ANUVaHOOd which he stated: “I would say it’s a KiDULTHOOD meets Friday type of thing.”

I even peeped the unusual uppercase/lowercase spelling of ANUVaHOOd on the Twitter Page/Official website which is synonymous to that of Noel’s films. 

No Inspector Clouseau here folks, just a very observant woman. And yes, at this point I’m thinking Noel IS associated with this film [somehow] even if he’s not starring in it just based on little things like that.

However before all of this, I thought nothing of it, especially as I saw Adam stand next to Noel with my own eyes during a Q&A for 4, 3, 2, 1 the movie and tell us, the audience, that he has ANUVaHOOd in the works and that it’s a KiDULTHOOD meets Friday comedy. My fellow tweeters @C1aire_Lucas @JadeMLawrence @KevKevv were present at that Q&A, and I have the audio on my You Tube Channel. 

So, if that is the case, was Noel helping Adam on the project? Did things progress in a way in which Noel didn’t like, whilst he was here or in LA? Who knows? Maybe Noel will talk about it. Maybe he won’t, and just leave it at that blog post.

The references in Noel’s blog as well as a tweet in response to a tweeter where he stated he “wasn’t taking digs [at Adam I’m assuming] but stating facts” suggests he’s not a happy camper in that respect at all. I honestly thought the idea of ANUVaHOOd was blatantly linked to Noel Clarke through Adam, that this movie has Noel’s blessing AND him credited on it somewhere. Obviously not! This movie has nothing to do with Noel Clarke. 

I peeped on IMDB this morning, Adam’s character in ANUVaHOOd is called Jay. Jay is also Adam’s character in KiDULTHOOD and AdULTHOOD. Alright back up....hold up....!

OK, so what is this…a spin-off?? 

It can’t be...can it? It hasn’t got Noel’s name on it with the writing, directing or even the acting. If this Jay is the same Jay from Noel’s two films, then the film has to have Noel credited somewhere, otherwise this is totally ludicrous. If it's not the same character, are there no other names aside from Jay to use for this character and film? 

Can you see why he’s mad? Can you see the references in his blog post making sense?

The whole title and character name is a little too close for comfort if you ask me. Where Noel wrote “exploit people who won’t know it’s not me doing it..” makes a WHOLE lotta sense. There are Noel Clarke fans out there who think this ANUVaHOOd project is somehow associated with him, especially as fans really want a third ‘hood’ installment from Noel. Noel has made it perfectly clear that probably is NOT going to be happening as he wants to venture onto new and different things.

So what has happened here? Has Adam jumped on board with ANUVaHOOd KNOWING the demand for a third ‘hood’ installment, whilst ‘exploiting’ the people [audience] thinking this has Noel’s stamp on it?

“30 pieces of silver in the post?”

DAMN…tell em why you mad son.

I don’t blame you at all.

Follow Noel Clarke on Twitter

Follow Adam Deacon on Twitter

T.I., Idris Elba, Michael Ealy, Chris Brown, Paul Walker: Takers [Trailer]

OH BOLLOCKS!!! Idris is in this film.

I saw the movie poster back in March in a Chicago movie theatre and Michael Ealy and T.I. caught my eye.

Not bothered about the plot, going to look at the men in this flick. Thank you Jesus. All glory to God. Hallelujah.

KMT to peanut head Idris.

Peep the credits amongst them are

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Chris Brown, Morris Chestnut

PRODUCER: T.I.

The movie is made in association with Grand Hustle Entertainment started by T.I. and Jason Geter.

Make that paper fellas!!! I ain't mad at cha!! Nice to see some brothas doing a lil something more than a clothing line and some cognac.

Release Dates:

USA 20 August 2010

UK 17 September 2010

I am not crazy about the trailer. It hardly evoked any emotion from me to be honest, but due to the man totty I'll definitely take a peek.

Waiting to see what kinda movie route the likes of Chipmunk, Dizzee Rascal and Tinie Tempa go...When this happens I'll leave it to Mad News Blog to report the news in true Mad News style.

Facebook Movie: The Social Network [Trailer]

I always wonder...we've had MySpace, Facebook and now Twitter. I cannot even begin to imagine what the next social networking phenomenon will be. I can't see much past Facebook and Twitter to be honest. MySpace is practically dead if you ask me and I don't know if FourSquare will catch on like that. Who knows?

Release Date:
USA 1 October 2010
UK 15 October 2010

Love the version of Radiohead's 'Creep' in this trailer.

Salt [Trailer]

Great to see Black British Export Chiwetel Ejiofor doing another major Hollywood flick. My mum absolutely adores him. 

Another action blockbuster starring Angelina Jolie, set to his the big screen this summer. Not impressed by our month long release date wait after the US. By then most of the UK would have watched it illegally online.

Release Date:
USA 23 July 2010
UK 20 August 2010

In The UK, But Want To Watch TV On US Blocked Websites?

If you're a TV junkie and want to watch some TV shows and movies on US sites which are blocked in the UK like the US MTV site, Hulu.com, NBC, ABC etc then there's a handy lil gadget you can download to your PC.

I've had no problems with this and when I want to watch Hulu.com I simply switch it on [I never have it running on start up] first log on to the site and it give me a US IP address, and hey presto you're watching your fave US TV shows.

It's called Hotspot Shield you can download it here. Thank goodness I don't have this problem when I want to catch up with all the good crap on BET.com.

Open Letter To Michael Bay Re: Transformers, By A Pissed Off IMDB Poster

WARNING: THIS CONTAINS POTENTIAL SPOILERS.
This was not written by myself.

"Dear Michael Bay, and the rest of the Transformers production team.

I recently saw your film Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, I was thoroughly looking forward to this outing after the first Transformers movie where I thought you were all respectful of the previous incarnations while putting your own stamp on the franchise. I felt by the end of the movie that the Transformers could really make a go of it in the 21st century.

So imagine my horror when I come to watch the sequel, there are so many things that disappointed me I don't know where to begin. But I will list my grievances numerically.

1. Swearing. Now I am no prude and often when down the local pub you will hear me uttering swear words. I don't however use it as a means to impress my friends, this is seemingly what the writers of Revenge of the fallen did, while also making the robots seemed like they were naughty school children using the language. Quite why Wheelie had to use the term *beep* the bed' is beyond me. He could have simply used the term 'got out of the wrong side of the bed' it was an unnecessary swear word and quite frankly the film is full of them. One swear word may have been a necessity in this picture at some point, probably in a battle scene.

2. Sophomore humour. I could write a whole new list for this, but it mostly comes from the Twins. They had potential to be goofy but most of the time come off as uneducated idiots who didn't have the brain capacity to use proper words so resorted to petty name calling. Again coming back to wheelie quite why a robot would want to hump Megan Fox's leg is beyond me, yes she is an insanely attractive girl but why would a robot care. My main problem with this part however is who was it marketed towards? Adults in the cinema i was in didn't find it funny, in fact most of them were trying to explain to their kids (who also weren't laughing) what in the world was going on. The 18-30 demographic simply sighed at the poor attempt at humour. Same goes for the dogs they got two scenes and both of them it showed some form of sexual connotations. your film was 2 and a half hours long I'm sure the dog sex could have been left on the cutting room floor.

All in all I found the humour to be extremely forced and extremely childish. And again much like the swearing unnecessary. It seemed like it was purely things Micheal Bay would find funny. Also a mother doing drugs? Honestly? That 70's Show called, they want their ideas back.

3. Human problems. Remind me why we care again? So they wont say they love each other, leave it to Oprah. They have been embroiled in battles with Aliens I'm sure they will survive ordinary relationship problems. Also was the point of the room mate really just to introduce John Turturo? Needless, and once again seemed to be put in just to get to the desired run time. I have less problems with this, but it did seem to be more American Pie than Transformers at times.

4. Number of robots. Look its simple if you aren't going to give ample screen time to some robots don't put them in. There was a green Decepticon that looked cool in there in Egypt but I had no idea who he was and what his deal was. Also devastator added nothing, its one of the coolest concepts in transformers, either pee or get off the pot. The half baked version used simply left me feeling frustrating.

5. Fight scenes being clumsy. Either not being able to make out where the robots heads are, or not being able to work out who was punching who. But the real crux came in Egypt, news flash for the transformers team, we cant see a fight going on if you put the camera behind a pillar. The special effects looked amazing, its a shame that together the transformers make one giant coloured ball with no distinguishing features.

6. The Fallen: you placed your entire film title on him. Use him, 5 minutes at the end honestly what was the point? Beaten by a Frankenstein prime doesn't really do it for me, especially when The Fallen had a good hour to get to earth before prime was brought back to life, bit pointless him turning up the second he comes back to life. As a character it had so much potential. But like every other major plot line in this film was suffocated due to the film having to many other pointless strands (the whole college scene could have gone it was utterly pointless)

7. Transforming sound. Where is it? its the most iconic sound of every incarnation of the transformers. Bring it back NOW. And I don't mean just once or twice as you did I mean the majority of the time.

8. Megatron's attitude. Megatron wants to take over the Galaxy. Always has always will. he HATES answering to anyone. For goodness sake I thought Orci knew this being a big G1 fan? being a little slave to the fallen was just sad to watch, especially when two dogs humping had about as much screen time as the Fallen did.

In conclusion, this whole cinema experience left me feel flat. To much pointless human problems, and not enough exploring of the really big issues which could have been fleshed out (Matrix, Primes, Fallen, Megaton's role as Decepticon leader. Soundwave's role. I could go on!) In one film I feel you have managed to take away a real essence of what the Transformers are meant to be about, ideas were rushed and it seems lessons were so not learnt from the first movie that they were actually extenuated.

I'm sad to say but I find a tonne of Bay arrogance over this film, its a big middle finger up to anyone who criticised his first Transformers film, and overall I feel that Micheal Bay hasn't taken anything on board from the vocal fans. I am not some fan boy just a big fan of the Franchise that is Transformers and I was so disappointed at this offering I just had to vent.


Yours sincerely,

Annoyed of UK."

Movie Review: Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Don't worry there will be no spoilers. I never spoil anything for anyone, even when they ask I always tell them to go and watch it for themselves.

US readers please don't be confused or surprised. Today is June 19th and you won't have the movie for another 6 days. Sometimes it happens like that...get over it!

I think we watch/buy more movies than you guys on a per person basis or something like that, so it's nice to not be ignored by Hollywood for a change.

I have been excited about this movie for a while. And double the excitement as my fave group on the planet, Linkin Park, did the theme tune 'New Divide' for the film.

So I was up in the early hours looking to see if I could go to a morning showing. Nope, the earliest was 1pm, but I attended the 2pm showing instead. I needed to see it before most people and also before the school kids made the later showing, making up too much noise in the cinema.

Let me tell you something...if you are excited about going to see this movie then take your at a 10 level of excitement and drop it down to a 0 and go with NO expectations.

My black ass was hella disappointed. I fell asleep. I yawned. I wiggled in my seat. I tweeted from my Blackberry. I was not gripped.

I went over to IMDB and read the honest reviews over there. Seems like I wasn't the only one who fell asleep either.

I tweeted today about the 2.5 hour film being a tease and leaving without an orgasm. There were no high moments for me. Whilst reading IMDB, the thread about what the favourite parts of the film was for some people...if you ever read what they were...Lord Jesus...nothing exciting at all. There were no real standout moments for me at all.

I don't know what Michael Bay was thinking. All I hope is the rumours are true and he's NOT returning for a 3rd installment. However, when Shia LeBeouf was on Twitter he did promise us that from Michael Bay there was going to be a 3rd movie. To be honest I don't care. It's like being shagged by a really bad in bed bloke, and he's promising to come back and give you more of the same. I don't want it. Nor will I expect anything great from it.

I read in the free London paper on way home the 1/5 star review, stating that the trailer was the most impressive thing and that the movie itself was a big letdown.

Everything I said about the movie others mirrored on IMDB when I read it this evening.

When the robots are fighting [same problem in Transformers] it is very difficult to make out who is ACTUALLY fighting.

There are new robots all who pretty much fail to make an impression. Namely the 2 ghetto 'black' robots [who are twins] who use words like pussy, shit and whoop yo ass. These have been likened to being annoying to this movie as Jar Jar Binks was to Star Wars. Trust me they are VERY annoying. And I have a feeling they will NOT feature in the next movie as there will be websites set up stating how much they are hated. Trust me there will be websites petitioning for them not to appear anywhere again...[my little premonition. Let's see if I'm right.]

Now I thought it was just me...but someone else on IMDB stated the same thing. They were speaking incredibly fast. You had to pay serious attention to the dialogue. Trust me if you see this, you will see what I'm talking about.

It was so obvious from all the Megan hype in between movies they really went for it on her opening 'sexy sitting on the bike' shot.

The story was lame. With an even lamer ending.

Tyrese had no business being in this movie, he must have said about 3 lines all of em including the word 'ass' at some point.

The film did NOT need to be that long. Some scenes were just long or did not need to be there at all.

Younger kids may have a hard time keeping up with this movie.

Mirroring what someone said, you didn't care about any of the characters, not like in the first movie when you were actually rooting for some of them.

Severe lack of Auto-Bots for my liking from the 1st movie. Only Bumblebee and Optimus Prime are pretty much featured, the others take a back seat [very disappointed by that]

Visually the film was amazing. Some people say "there is too much CGI" It's a movie about robots for the Son of God's sake! What are they to do? Cut back on the CGI by bringing in the R.E.A.L. Optimus Prime to shoot on set? Dumbasses. Too much CGI!! It's supposed to as THESE TRANSFORMERS DO NOT EXIST!! NO CGI! NO MOVIE! For the love of all things holy!

I've never complained about CGI in a movie. If it's needed bring it on. Like folks can really tell these days between CGI or not in every scene. You can't...watch the extras on Bad Boys 2 a lot of cars in the chase scene weren't even on the road. You'd never guess. It's not just used for superheroes in flight or explosions. Some are used in scenes you wouldn't think needed it.

I digress...Umm...to sum it up. Great hype. Brilliant trailers. They kept us waiting. Let us down. First movie was better!

I appreciate the first movie so much more now, and after writing this blog I'm going downstairs to actually watch it again. Seriously. Because the letdown of that movie has thrown me deep into the arms of the first one, which I liked but was not that attached to. Now I'm clinging onto it for dear life.

I think a lot of Americans are going to "love it" and think "It's amazing" Europe and USA have different tastes I've noticed. I actually will look at anyone sideways who thinks this film was "amazing, awesome, brilliant or fantastic" I will simply think in my head you need to get out more, cause that didn't flutter anything in my belly at all.

I love movies, I love cars, I love comic adaptions on screen. I did not love this movie. I stated it was good on my Twitter, but I have to retract that. It was OK.

Well I have to see it again next weekend, as I'm taking my little cousin. I know what to expect sooo I can either sleep through it or give it another chance. And to think I was looking forward to seeing it again for a second time. This will be a chore for me.

Fave action movie of 2009 so far [bear in mind I'm seeing Terminator Salvation and Star Trek this weekend so that may change] is Fast & Furious.

Fave drama of 2009 so far has to be Gran Torino.

Megan was hot...swear she had those lips done for the film though. Notice how I said that without all that 'No homo' stuff when talking about Megan Fox. Women, it's OK to say another woman looks/is hot without all that 'no homo' crap...I hate that. Women have been complimenting other women for years, we can do that, so why all of a sudden in 2009 we gotta defend our sexuality, I don't know.

I can't believe that cutie pie Josh Duhamel [Captain Lennox] is married to Fergie. She looks so off, and dare I say very man like.

MAJOR PROPS to my girl Megan for actually being seen in a movie with her shoes in her hand and running barefoot. If you're running from a ghost, bomb, bullets, a 60ft robot, please ladies tek off the stilettos and run for your life.

I like this Megan, the other one with the extra 'a' in her name, with last name 'Good' but is a 'Bad' actress needs to retire. Can't stand her wannabe sexy ass!

When you get around to seeing it. Let me know what you thought of it.

Movie Review: Watchmen

What did you think of it??

From MTV.com

"...Critical reaction to the film has been split into three camps: those who immediately loved the book and now immediately love the movie (our own Kurt Loder called it a "monumental accomplishment"), those who love the book so much they believe the movie should never have been made, and those who never read the book and now are wondering, "Really? This junk is what everyone's so excited about?"

I fell into the latter. Never read the book and wondered just WTF was this junk all about.

Don't even get it twisted. I have watched pretty much every comic book to big screen movie from DC Comics and Marvel without ever having been a comic book fan or known much about the background of the characters. I've loved some, liked others and thought the rest were crap. [DC Comics should just stick to the Batman franchise and just leave it the hell alone]. When making these movies, they are and usually made from the perspective of the audience not having any background into the story. You don't have to have immersed yourself in Batman, Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk to get it once it hits the big screen. If they do a good enough job then everyone watching will 'get it' whether a DC/Marvel geek or not. I got this story I just didn't like it.

Watchmen falls into the piece of shit and crap pile for me. So much so I'm not even going to do a review. I hated it. One of those films that tries to grab you on the damn movie poster and the trailer alone by putting all of the best bits into it.

But don't let my dislike of the film stop you from spending 2 hours and 43 minutes watching Watchmen. It may just be your cup of tea. [I bet they'll release the 191 minute Director's Cut on DVD though].

I haven't even got the energy to watch this again in the hopes of digging deeper into the storyline or the characters. I'm all for giving a film a second chance, but too much of my life was wasted the first time around. My mind was open, I took the film in and let the film take me to where it was supposed to go. It was like being stuck in a traffic jam. Like I said I'm open minded and would prefer to read the graphic novel, as many say it's better and the filmed failed it in it's adaptation.

This is just making me more excited for X-Men Originals: Wolverine. Come on Marvel, do what you do best this summer and kick the shit out of DC Comics.

Anyone in the US thinking of taking children in with you to see this DON'T. It's not a typical 'superhero' movie like X-Men or Spider-Man. It's very violent, bloody, gory, there is a graphic sex scene, an attempted rape, violence against women, full frontal male nudity...so don't even think about bringing a child to see this.

That R Rating in the US is just dumb to me...anyway that's another blog entirely. I know of one idiot in the US that took his 4 year old daughter to see Jeepers Creepers **shaking my head** 4 year olds have no business watching that. That's what Disney is for!

What Is Your Addiction?

Hello my name is LondonDiva and I'm a movie addict.

**stands up in front of fellow blog readers and MA [Movies Anonymous] group**

"Hello LondonDiva!" [That's from my fellow MA group]

I love movies. I don't, or should I say rarely watch TV. I buy DVD's and have close to 500, I belong to Tesco DVD rental and have an Cineworld unlimited pass to see as many movies as I like for £11.99 a month.

**Bows head in shame**

I've gone to the cinema and seen 4 movies in 2 days and will go tonight to see another two. After I watch a movie I go home and go on IMDB and read up on the movie and other movie related websites, the actors the background, how much it cost to make, how much it grossed and so much more.

**Sweaty palms**

I just found out one of my favourite horror trilogies [Scream] is coming back with a further three movies. And…and…and…I got excited. I also had palpitations awaiting the X-Men Origins Wolverine movie and the next Iron-Man instalment and the Avengers movies.

I long for every Halloween weekend for the release of another Saw instalment and secretly deep down hope they'll keep making them till Saw 50 and even if they are bad or get worse I'll still see them.

**Gets out tissue**

Oh it doesn't stop there, I love TV shows too and purposely won't watch them on TV just so I can buy the DVD box set.

**Sigh**

All of my DVDs are in alphabetical order. No one is allowed to borrow them except my parents, and I list every single one of them in an Excel spreadsheet.

**Laughter and the shaking of heads from the group**

It's for insurance purposes. I have so many, God forbid they got stolen or went missing I'd know what to replace. **Cries**

**Approving nods from the group and whispers of "makes sense"**

I refuse to watch bootleg movies. OK. I did once online and it just wasn't the same. I felt like I was cheating on Harvey Weinstein. I don't care about bootleg MP3's it's the movies I love!

**Uncontrollable sobbing**

If I had to choose between a DVD shopping spree and one on clothes I would buy the DVD's.

**Heavy Sigh**

My name is LondonDiva and I'm a movie addict.

**Sits down**

Movie Review: Gran Torino

I got to the cinema last night expecting to see Gran Torino first followed by Cadillac Records before it's [Cadillac Records] taken off at my regular Cineworld cinema on Friday. It was Orange Wednesday and the queue was horrendous, so had already missed a few minutes of Gran Torino for the 18:15 showing. So I started my Wednesday night double bill watching Friday the 13th. It was either that or Push, and I wasn't in the mood for a badly reviewed movie just yet. The beauty about my Cineworld Unlimited card is I don't mind seeing the box office stinkers, and I'm hardly disappointed if a movie really is that bad because I'm not paying £6.50 a time to see one. When you pay £11.99 a month you think "ah well that was crap/not that bad", you shrug and see what you can watch on your next outing. I've seen some movies I know I'd normally not pay for. I usually used to keep the cinema outings for the big summer blockbusters [usually Marvel or DC superhero type capers]. I love me some sci-fi, fantasy, action flicks.

Anyway onto Gran Torino. Now I'm NEVER one to spoil a movie so don't worry there will not be any spoilers in this blog. Starring, directed and produced by Clint Eastwood. Dig this, old boy Clint even sung the closing song which was nominated for a Golden Globe [Best Original Song - Motion Picture]. Now you got to hand it to the old man, he can still act his ass off and do it well. Never liked his westerns, but my favourite in the Dirty Harry franchise was The Dead Pool which was the first time I saw Jim Carey on screen, and the first time aged 8 or 9 I first heard Guns n Roses [Welcome to the Jungle]. Don't ask what I was doing watching Dirty Harry [and an 18 certificate like that] before I even reached my first decade.

Walt Kowalski is a widower who holds onto his prejudices despite the changes in his Michigan neighbourhood and the world around him. Kowalski is a grumpy, tough-minded, unhappy an old man, who can't get along with either his kids or his neighbours, a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 Gran Torino he keeps in mint condition. When his neighbour Thao, a young Hmong teenager under pressure from his gang member cousin, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Thao's family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them from the gangs that infest their neighbourhood.

I've read the reviews on this movie [I only do this after I watch a film, never before] and for once I was in agreement with the general consensus. It was a great movie. Now this film I felt was deep, but it was also very funny. It's funny when it isn't supposed to be, usually centred around Walt's [Clint Eastwood] racist and foul mouth and just on being a very miserable and an unhappy bastard. You're supposed to hate a man like this, one who if you came across in real life would really want to make his life hell. But you can't help but warm to him in some warped way and just want someone to love him other than his dog, and give him a big ol' hug.

Clint went gangster in this role. If you watch it you'll see what I'm talking about. You wish there were more people like this around, that stand up for what they believe in and want to right a lot of wrongs, as well as try and find peace and love in his life [that you assume he had before his wife died]. It's not an action film, so don't think from the title of the movie and the car that this is some old man version of The Fast & The Furious. It's not. It's a drama, which is funny albeit serious. You'll know when you're supposed to laugh [even though you're laughing at everything which is inappropriate] and you'll definitely know when to be still and silent. It's not a complex movie, you may know what might happen, or in some parts not. It's a slow paced movie, but don't let that put you off, because although it's not an 'all guns a blazing' film I found I was glued to the screen, I wasn't clock watching and I certainly didn't drift off. Certain films are made for certain types of people. Those that can appreciate a drama for 116 minutes and not kiss their teeth at the lack of something, and just sit there and take in the story and be able to actually understand what's going on.

You know when you're going to see a Clint Eastwood film, especially those made in his later years, that you are going to see something moving and thought provoking. I was moved and my thought was definitely provoked. When the credits rolled, there were a few people who didn't move, I had to move and go to the bathroom to compose myself. If you like movies that are well acted, well scripted and not about the fancy effects [for once], then this is a movie for you.

Another movie snubbed by Hollywood and the Academy Awards. **Shakes head** Yep another man who should have been up there in the acting stakes nominated for his portrayal in this movie over the over-hyped performance of Mickey Rourke. I've now seen two performances which overshadowed Rourke's [Will Smith and now Clint Eastwood] that were royally snubbed. Shame on Hollywood, they really were smoking something this year and it was probably laced with PCP.

What can I say, I loved this movie for all the right and wrong reasons. It actually makes me want to go back and watch the older Clint Eastwood films around the Million Dollar Baby era that's he's starred in and directed. I should just go and add them to the DVD rental list. I haven't seen a Clint Eastwood film since March 2005 and that was in fact Million Dollar Baby, I remember because I was in Barcelona at the time and so depressed and sad after watching it [my friend was too] that we had to go and see Hitch the next day to pull ourselves out of it. Seriously it got to us that badly. I felt so broken and sad after watching that film. Either Clint acts his way through some really serious subject matter really well, or he chooses those pull at the heartstrings type of movie. Maybe it's a bit of both. All I know is I have a new found respect for Clint Eastwood and his work and seeing as this maybe his last outing in front of the camera I'm definitely going to have to take a look at his back catalogue. He definitely went out of the Hollywood limelight in style if Gran Torino is the last role he'll play.

I was more moved by this movie than I was by Slumdog Millionaire which I'd seen the night before [and it was nothing to do with Slumdog hype at all ruining it for me]. I was moved by both, but this gripped me more. After another viewing when it comes out on DVD it maybe one that I'll add to my favourite movies, which will be a change considering my favourite films [from a storyline and visual perspective] are both Sci-Fi/action flicks [Terminator 2: Judgement Day and The Matrix]. If you're smart enough to figure it out these movies are more than guns and special effects. The story, the underlying message and the meaning are all there. Especially with The Matrix. I can't go into it, it's too long and quite deep.

"It isn't his late masterpiece: I think his Iwo Jima movies fit that bill better. But it is almost certainly Clint Eastwood's final acting appearance: a must-see on that account if nothing else."

I Would Like To Thank The Academy

For giving Sean Penn the Oscar for Best Actor. MY GOODNESS I couldn't bear the hype about Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler any longer. All this talk about a stunning performance, deep, powerful etc is pure bullshit. I saw this documentary looking movie [it was made on a $6 million budget after a lot of people pulled out when they heard Rourke was in it]. Nic Cage was supposed to play the lead before Rourke stepped in. In all honesty for this type of movie Rourke definitely would have played it better than Cage without a doubt. The budget was not the issue. I've seen great films done on a lesser budget.

I watched with an unbiased opinion. I saw two movies in one night at the cinema back to back. Seven Pounds and The Wrestler. I had to Google the release date of Seven Pounds to make sure the release was before December 31st 2008 in the USA after I had watched the movie. Anything after this date doesn't make the cut for the Oscar nominations. ALL BIAS ASIDE. Will's performance WAS WORTHY of an Oscar. Even if you think the film wasn't that great or complicated, he delivered in that film and moved the hell out of me. Seriously I was like "Wow" when it was over. Yes it was sad, but I was sure I was looking at a front runner for an Academy Award and potential winner. I then saw The Wrestler and cleared my mind. Decided to give Mickey Rourke a fair shot for the just under 2 hour movie and let him work his acting magic on me.

**POOF**

This was Mickey Rourke, playing Mickey Rourke.

**Looks around. Tumbleweeds pass me by.**

What in the hell was so fantastic about HIS performance I'm still wondering what garnered a nomination when Will was totally snubbed across the board. He was so snubbed it was like the movie wasn't even made or released. Like a dog just walked on by and pissed on his shoes. He was only recognised by his peers [Black award shows and only three of them]. I am not even playing the race card in this blog [it's not a colour issue], but seriously what happened at the Screen Actors Guild, Golden Globes, BAFTA and the Academy Awards? Did he piss off Jewish Hollywood or something? He was nominated for The Pursuit of Happyness and this [his performance] was on par, if not better. Remember this wasn't even about liking the movie, I'm talking about Will's sole performance. So before anyone wants to comment on the movie I'm talking about THE P.E.R.F.O.R.M.A.N.C.E. In Hollywood the film doesn't even have to be good or make money for an actor to be recognised in the role for a nomination. I'm even a little mad Rosario Dawson wasn't even nominated either.

Back to Rourke and Penn. I haven't seen Milk but I have seen the trailer in the cinema and when I saw the trailer I said to myself, that Sean Penn's performance has Oscar written all over this [I saw the trailer weeks before I saw The Wrestler]. I was more inspired by Penn in a trailer and loved what I saw and thought "damn I'd be surprised if he's not up for Best Actor" than I was from viewing Mickey Rourke in the WHOLE of The Wrestler. In all honesty Rachel Evan Wood albeit small her performance was the most, real, moving and powerful in this film. She almost reduced me to tears dealing with her mainly absent father [Rourke] in this movie.

My dad was MAD when Mickey Rourke won the BAFTA for Best Actor. I had to explain to his old Jamaican self that you get it for that role in particular regardless of your Hollywood history. My dad thought Rourke didn't deserve the award based on him being a bad boy and being away from the spotlight. Again it's not about his personal life or behaviour but what he delivered in this role. I actually had to tell my dad this is hardly Rourke's first movie since 9 and A Half Weeks, the man has been working and earning money quite well over the 80's, 90's and 00's. He's being hired, he hasn't been shunned [that badly] so why all these idiots are calling it a comeback like he's been off boxing for most of his career is beyond me. Comeback as in first major headlining flick in a while yes. Comeback as in a huge career break no.

But thank God for Penn shaking up the Oscars just a tad. All the money was on Rourke, and this category actually made me mad that there was all this hype over Rourke and ignoring other worthy actors this year. For once Brad was GOOD and we hardly heard anything about him this year.

Well let me just say this. If Benicio is not up for Best Actor next year for Ché, then the [acting] world has lost it's damn mind.

Don't even get me started on Kate Winslett. I may blog about that English bit of fluff another time.