Something about.. Unknown

Trailers usually give a good indication as to whether a film will be good or not - like the trailer and you'll like the film. But not in the case of Unknown.

The trailer for this film pulled me in and I was eager to see the action thriller.

The film started off strongly. Despite Liam Neeson's painfully dire acting, the film started on the right foot. It didn't dawdle and threw the audience into the storyline and action quickly, which was engaging and thrilling.

Diane Kruger gave a strong and dynamic performance, as always, in the role of Gina, and January Jones was fitting for the glamourous but mysterious role of Dr Martin Harris' (played by Neeson) 'wife'.

The film was effective in staging the story, the action was subtle and not too over-the-top, using diverse film techniques such as slow-motion and light, to create atmosphere and add to the overall film experience.

But as the story started to turn, so did my enjoyment.

The pace and momentum of the film built well, and as the story grew darker, I remained optimistic about the plot.

The film-makers did well to invent an ending which I certainly did not see coming. But it felt like a cop-out, an anti-climax. Like the script writers just got bored and said 'yeah, that'll do'. They might as well have just killed everyone off.

The film built up the suspense well and then just threw it out of the window as the plot went off in another direction. Many have complimented the film on it's surprise twist, but I found it somewhat disappointing.

Neeson initially stepped out of his comfort zone to play a role which was un-focused on action and corny one-liners, but it didn't take long for him to slip back into his well-known and well-practiced routine character.

Kruger and Jones were enjoyable to watch on screen, and Frank Langella, appeared late on in the film to portray his signature mysterious role.

If you liked Taken then Unknown is probably worth a watch. I'd say wait for it to come on the late-night Film 4 schedule.

Something about.. Chalet Girl

It's difficult to go wrong really.

It's a well-tested and successful formula - romantic comedy plus English humour plus beautiful people (particularly Ed Westwick) equals instant box office success.

I bring you Chalet Girl.

The latest in the modern-day brand of romantic-comedies. If you're expecting something as memorable or as funny as Bridget Jones then you'll be disappointed. But take it for what it is and you'll leave the cinema satisfied.

Chalet Girl is the story of Kim (Felicity Jones), a former skateboarding champion who strikes it lucky and lands a chalet girl job in an Austria ski resort to make money to support her struggling dad (Bill Bailey). As her luck continues the boss's son happens to be the handsome, charming and rich Johnny, cue Ed Westwick.

Jones sparkles in the film - buzzing with energy, charisma and personality, she embodies the quintessential English attitude - and sarcasm.

Westwick brings with him the endearing qualities of his popular Gossip Girl character, Chuck Bass. He once again slips effortlessly into the role of the filthy rich, tuxedo-wearing, smoulderingly sexy heart throb. Not that I'm biased or anything.

With a stella supporting cast consisting of Bill Nighy, Brooke Shields, Sophia Bush and Tamsin Egerton - Chalet Girl is a bundle of fun from start to finish.

The film taps brilliantly into the modern-day young audience - many of whom enjoy ski holidays or have lived a ski season, offering a balance of realistic season experiences with aspirational (if a little corny) living-the-dream moments as Kim becomes a star snowboarder and wins over the hunky love interest.

Skirting around the slightly hollow storyline and the poor flashbacks, Chalet Girl is simply a good modern love story which will appeal to the masses.

It won't change your life. It won't make any award nomination lists or the IMDB top 250. But it will leave you wanting more fluffy fun.

Something about.. The Adjustment Bureau

The Adjustment Bureau doesn't have a title that particularly pulled me in. But it's description as Inception meets Bourne did intrigue me.

Matt Damon once again stepped into an action role with great ease. And Emily Blunt was a refreshing choice as the lead actress in the big Hollywood thriller.

Damon plays David Norris, a popular congressman who falls in love with Elise (Blunt), a ballerina, and suddenly finds himself subject to a mysterious group of men who are intent on keeping the lovers apart.

The Adjustment Bureau can be enjoyed on two levels: as a simple love story, where two people overcome all the obstacles to be together, or on a philosophical level, as higher forces decide our fate and the paths we take through life which is laid out as part of an ultimate plan.

I enjoyed it on one level - as a simple love story. The chemistry between Damon and Blunt was refreshing and full of life. And as a viewer I wanted them to make it together as a couple. But I struggled to enjoy the deeper strand of the film. Although I liked the idea and the theory behind it, it could've been executed better.

I found the importance of hats and the use of doors took away from the seriousness of the idea of fate. It all got a little bit silly.

There were hints of Bourne within the film - obviously due to the use of Damon as the lead character, but also through his cat-and-mouse chase with mysterious men and his search for answers.

And the comparison to Inception was clear throughout, but The Adjustment Bureau steered clear of over-complicating itself to the level that Inception did.

It's worth a watch - but I'd wait for the DVD and save yourself £8.

Something about.. I am Number Four

Sometimes it pays off to take a chance on a film - even if you're convinced you will hate it.

Today I took a gamble on I am Number Four. And it paid off.

I am not usually a fan of films which are about a) aliens or b) people with super powers.

I am Number Four blends both of these things. John (Alex Pettyfer) is one of only nine who survived from his planet, and have come to Earth for refuge. But three others like him have already been killed by an enemy from another planet which seeks to destroy their kind and take over the planet.

This is not a plot which entices me - nor is it one which I would usually enjoy.

But I really liked this film.

Pettyfer was the ideal lead characters - handsome, mysterious but likeable. And the relatively unknown actor gave a strong performance fringed with subtle references to his planet and powers. The film did not overkill the 'alien' aspect of the film, making it much more enjoyable and must less silly.

Timothy Olyphant gave a slightly 2D performance as Henri, John's guardian - but he fulfilled his role as a strong and protective hero, the closest thing to family for the lead youngster.

And the supporting cast was good. The beautiful Dianna Agron played Sarah, the love interest, and Callan McAuliffe created an amusing and kind character in Sam. Teresa Palmer was stiff in her scenes but she was a strong female character - refreshing in modern cinema to see a woman coming into the plot and saving the lead character and acting as a mentor.

Unlike alien invasion movies, I am Number Four was convincing and actually believable. I don't mean to say that I left the screen thinking there are aliens with super powers living among us - but I didn't spend the whole film laughing at the story and the characters.

The film ended with the perfect set up for a sequel. And I can safely say I would take a chance on that too.

Something about.. Little Miss Sunshine

Little Miss Sunshine is a sophisticated black comedy about a dysfunctional family who embark on a journey across America to take part in a beauty pageant.

The film is an uplifting tale about a family struggling to get through everyday life and striving to reach their dreams.

The audience is eased into the storyline and introduced to the characters at a family dinner around the table, and it is here that it becomes apparent how brilliantly the film is cast.

The plot explores an unusual family but is dotted with ordinary family themes and issues, and some rather dramatic problems.

Abigail Breslin plays Olive, a young and innocent girl who dreams of being a beauty queen but isn't the typical pageant participant wearing a face-full of makeup and sporting a fake tan.

Greg Kinnear takes on the role of the father, Richard Hoover, an over-achieving businessman obsessed with winning and being the best.

Toni Collette is Sheryl Hoover, the mother and wife, and a pillar of normality in a film filled with eccentric and exaggerated characters. She plays a busy and stressed mother struggling to balance work, running a home and getting the best for her children.

Paul Dano plays Dwayne, an awkward and emo teenager who has made a vow of silence and also dreams big, committed to becoming a pilot.

Steve Carrell was a pleasant surprise in Little Miss Sunshine as he stepped away from his usual empty and forced comedy roles in forgettable Hollywood churn-outs. He plays Sheryl's complex and disturbed brother, Frank Ginsberg, recently released from hospital having attempted suicide.

And Alan Arkin plays grandpa Edwin Hoover, a grumpy but dedicated war-veteran father and grandfather with a cocaine problem.

This dark comedy has moments of laugh-out-loud humour entwined with dark themes of suicide and drug abuse.

The story follows the family as they race across America to reach the Little Miss Sunshine pageant on time. But the journey is fraught with obstacles as the Hoover's must overcome their faulty campervan, deal with job and money problems, and face the bereavement of grandpa Edwin, as well as Dwayne's heartbreak at the discovery he is colourblind meaning he cannot fulfil his dream of flying.

But it is these dramas which bring the family together in this uplifting and warm tale as the Hoovers realise the important things in life and rally together during the finale at the pageant. The family is bought together by an inappropriate dance to 'Superfreak'.

The family's descent into madness comes to a happy ending as the Sheryl and Richard reconnect, Frank finds happiness and solitude with his extended family, Olive receives the support and love of her family at the pageant and Dwayne rediscovers his voice and insightfully says: 'Life is one beauty contest after another.. you do what you love and fuck the rest."

Something about.. No Strings Attached

Modern films tend to lean towards either the male audience or the female audience - and rarely does a film offer a satisfying experience to both. It doesn't need to. All girls will drag their partners along to see the latest chick-flick or the new tear-jerking drama. And all guys will persuade their girlfriend to face the new Bond film or the latest horror remake.

Romantic comedies draw in the women with hunky lead men melting into soppy romantic lovers in the presence of a self-conscious and flawed woman. Girls revel in the dream.

And men flock to see the sordid explicit comedies, filled with nudity, slapstick humour, crass sexist jokes and all things manly, including cars, gadgets and action. Guys revel in the dream.

But rarely - very rarely - along comes a film which has something for both.

No Strings Attached is one of those said films.

It is, on one hand, a romantic comedy with all the ingredients for a girly chick-flick: the attractive and loveable Ashton Kutcher, and the smart but withdrawn anti-relationship independent woman played by the beautiful Natalie Portman. Coupled with jokes about periods, this is the ultimate girl film.

But on the other hand, there are countless sex scenes, graphic and humorous jokes about sex, as well as nice cars and big houses. Coupled with a title which embodies the male dream, it's a sure-fire hit with the male population.

The film itself was nothing special and it wasn't original - but it was executed well and provided a funny and enjoyable cinema trip.

Kutcher and Portman made a good couple, and were supported by an unknown but witty cast.

I would recommend No Strings Attached as the perfect date.

Something about.. Brief Encounter

I must admit my experience of the black and white classics is somewhat lacking. But it's never too late to try something new - or old.

But - inspired by my friend's love for the old love stories, and particularly Brief Encounter of which she has a framed picture next to her bed - it was time to immerse myself in the films which inspired decades of romantic comedies to follow.

And I wasn't disappointed. I accept that the oldies will never be my favourite genre, but as a hopeless romantic and an idealist when it comes to love stories, I enjoyed this film about two strangers falling in love.

The 1945 black and white film is truly charming and inspiring. It relies on a simple and straightforward story of two lovers, there are few extra characters and no complex plot. Unlike films today which battle to outdo each other in special effects, a-list casts and intricate plots, Brief Encounter relies totally on the chemistry between Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard.

The acting feels slightly corny and wooden when looking back on it from more than six decades on, but

Brief Encounter is filmed and framed beautifully - the art of making films in the 1940s leaps out at you as you watch the long, lingering shots and close ups filled with emotion and raw acting.

And the simple idea of falling in love at first sight with a stranger, and waving them goodbye on a train station creates a love story and a tragedy which may be impossible to beat.

The film is touching, heart-wrenching and is a must-see for any girl.