Something about.. Love and other drugs

To truly enjoy this film you need to be in love or on other drugs.

Okay, maybe that's a little harsh, the romantic-comedy did offer light comic entertainment for a dull Thursday evening. But it was nothing special, and it certainly wasn't anything new.

Jake Gyllenhaal fulfilled his quota as hunky attractive lead man well, and almost pulled off the cocky ladies man thing. Gyllenhaal has come a long way since Donnie Darko, and I'd say it's all been downhill.

And although Anne Hathaway was at time rather entertaining and humorous, she failed to convince as a free-spirited, independent woman as a consequence of her tortured suffering at the hands of Parkinsons disease. I just found the whole Parkinsons aspect of the film very unbelievable. Nearly as flawed (and ultimately concerning) as the idea that doctors can be bribed and bought with gifts and sex by pharmaceutical salesman.

Reunited after smash hit Brokeback Mountain, the two actors starred in a film which was as empty, cold and uninspiring as the award-winning cowboy movie was moving, warm and beautiful.

Despite a relatively strong and believable chemistry between the two leads, I did feel that the excessive amount of sex scenes and nudity was unnecessary. I mean how many times does the average chick flick viewer want to see Anne Hathaway's tits? I can't say there were all that many men enjoying the view in the cinema I was in.

Although it seems I was very unimpressed the film was a success in the way it needed to be. It's a rom com, a chick flick, a purposeless love story. It's never going to win awards, it's never going to impress the critics but it entertained me for two hours, made me giggle and left me in a good mood.

I suppose it had the same effect on the audience that those in love on on drugs would feel.

Therefore, I'd say a successfully rubbish film.

Something about.. Wall-E

I have always been a big fan of animated films. But Pixar have created something extra special in Wall-E.

Any film which can make an audience laugh, gasp and cry at a pair of computer animated robots who use only two words to communicate deserves a standing ovation.

The film successfully creates characters with which the audience instantly fall for and care for.

Wall-E is an old, tatty, rubbish-collecting robot - not exactly the stereotypical protagonist of a modern day Hollywood proaction. But he is easily the best animation with the biggest personality which Pixar has ever created. And the love story between him and EVE is touching and moving.

A cockroach certainly isn't a predictable right-hand-man character, but provides constant comedy simply through his species immortality.

It's quite astounding that I found myself entirely transfixed by the film, although there was no human dialogue until 39 minutes in. Wall-E defied the logic of film - dialogue wasn't need to tell the story, or draw in the viewer. Creators had created such a strong character and such a spectacular world that the usual use of dialogue to tell a story and keep the audience interested, was unnecessary.

The story is relatively simple, it's the story of love. And Wall-E refuses to give up on his love.

But it also touches on deeper meanings. Perhaps a warning to people around the world about what we could do to our environment and our world. Or an insight into how obese and unhealthy the population could become. Maybe even an exploration into our reliance on technology.

As any typical animated film, Wall-E offers something for the whole family. Children will enjoy the simple voyeuristic humour and loveable characters, and adults will pick up on the underlying messages.

But one thing is for sure, Wall-E also offers a lot more than the average animated movie.

It is well worth a watch.

Something about.. Burlesque

It's no Chicago or even Moulin Rouge - but Burlesque was fun, sexy and satisfying.

Everyone knows Cher can act as well as she can sing. But for Christina Aguilera that is one mean feat. With a hugely powerful and successful voice, her debut movie was set to showcase whether she could act as well as she sings. And I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised.

Aguilera gave a convincing and down-to-earth performance. She didn't over act, she didn't under act, and she didn't rely on her singing or her breasts to get her through.

As for Cher, she was her usual 'I'm a powerful woman, don't fuck with me' character, and did so very well.

Twilight and OC heart throb, Cam Gigandet was the perfect lead gentleman and offered a particularly entertaining moment involving double doors, nudity and a box of cookies.

And Stanley Tucci provided a camp and loveable voice of reason throughout the film as a mentor, best friend, wardrobe stylist and all around caring guy.

The songs failed to measure up to the soundtrack of previous musical films, but the majority of the songs were strong, memorable and enjoyable.

It won't win over the hearts of the critics, and probably won't attract many male viewers but it's certainly worth a watch, and maybe even a purchase from the £3 Asda bargain DVD section.

Something about.. The Tourist

This film came as a complete surprise to me for two reasons.

One, I hate Angelina Jolie. But shockingly found myself not wanting to punch her in the face during her performance in The Tourist. And actually faintly enjoyed watching her.

Two, I was slightly disappointed in Johnny Depp's performance (a statement I never thought I would hear myself saying).

In fact The Tourist was particularly topsy-turvy for me as a film fan. I liked the actress I usually despise. And was disappointed in the performance of an actor I always find committed, powerful and impressive.

As for the storyline, it was fairly weak. Jolie meets Depp on a train and chooses him as a decoy to protect her lover who is being hunted by police. And after a couple of big but predictable plot twists the ending is very much Hollywood, but doesn't leave you particularly satisfied.

Positives about the film: amusing one-liners from Depp (and a lovely set of pyjamas) a relatively mysterious and intriguing performance from Jolie, and some beautiful outfits. The problem with this film emerges quite quickly. I was more interested in the wardrobe and location (of Venice) than the actual storyline.

Something about.. the greatest film ever

Also known as Trainspotting.

For me to review my favourite movie would be slightly biased. So instead of doing that I'm going to give you all the reasons WHY it's my favourite.

Trainspotting is to British film what the Beatles were to British music. Integral.

The film has caused controversy and complaint, banned from cinemas across the country on its release for 'encouraging and glorifying' drug use. The film has created a cult following. The film has made history, triggering an era of gritty British movies, far removed from the glamourous and shiny Hollywood blockbusters.

It's a movie masterpiece created by film legend, Danny Boyle. It was career making not only for its director, but also its leading man and narrator, Ewan McGregor.

The characters, casting, storyline, cinematography and soundtrack are all faultless.

With one of the most famous tag lines and monologues in film history and the most infamous scenes ever, Trainspotting has found a place in DVD collections across the world for one reason or another.

I'd say that those who banned it back in the 1990s really missed the point of Trainspotting. It's not about glorifying or glamourising heroin addiction, it's all there in the strap line: Choose life.

Something about.. Mary Poppins

The greatest thing about the Christmas holidays (other than pigs in blankets) is all-day reruns of classic movies.

When suffering a New Year's hangover, there's no remedy quite like Mary Poppins.

Without sounding like a bitter middle-aged spinster, they don't make films like they used to. And Mary Poppins is a prime example of this.

With a fun and unique story, fun and loveable characters and of course the memorable songs which defy time, it's a film which no amount of special effects and million dollar budget can compete with.

Any film which follows the story of a magical nanny who flies with an umbrella and owns a bottomless handbag has got to be a fun, family flick. But Mary Poppins is so much more than that.

It's a childhood classic which everyone loves to love, from grandparents to grandchildren. It inspires imagination within even the oldest and straightest watcher.

Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke remain some of the greatest actors to this day thanks to their performances in this film, despite van Dyke's faltering cockney accent. Andrews creates an enchanting, pure but stern character as Mary Poppins and van Dyke is a loveable, cheeky chap as Bert.

From jumping through chalk pictures, tea parties on the ceiling and flying a kite there's a song for every moment, songs which are still memorable a year later when the Christmas rerun comes once again.

Something about.. 2011

Whilst reflecting on the last year - one which has been full of significant change and drama - it didn't take long to come up with my list of New Year's resolutions.

One of which is getting back into 'Something about'.

For many years my real love has been escaping into the fantastical, magical and exciting world of film. From Hollywood blockbusters to art house cinema, from cult horror flicks to light-hearted rom coms.

And I decided it's about time I put my extensive DVD collection and excessive cinema visits to good use. So from now on my blog will focus entirely on film. From the new cinema releases, my favourite DVDs and to TV reruns and old classics.

So sit back, grab a coke and some popcorn, and enjoy.