March Film of the Month

This will be a very short post, before the month of March is over! How quick it has gone!

Click on the film titles to be directed to their IMDB pages. 

Here is the all important rating system:

* = Poor. Why did I even bother?!

** = OK. Could have done better.

*** = Good. Recommended though don’t feel bad you don’t get to see this one.

**** = Excellent. Not quite perfect but highly recommended.

***** = Masterpiece. You’d be a fool not to see this film.

Do you agree with my ratings? Let me know!

The Book Thief 

I think this is another case where, unfortunately, the book looks more appealing than the film. Particularly with the voice-over narration from 'Death' - I'd imagine this is more effective in the book than on screen. Despite this, Emily Watson's performance is great and I think the children do a fine job too. Although I did enjoy this film, it was too sentimental for my liking which meant I wasn't emotionally invested with the characters. With a harsh and dark historical context, the portrayal of the story was rather twee. Not to my taste but not a unpleasant film either. 

Rating: **

                     

Non-Stop

This isn't a film I would normally choose to see but, with the Unlimited card, my friend and I thought we'd see something different. Non-Stop had some suspenseful moments and did keep us guessing. However, I found the dialogue - especially on one of Liam Neeson's big speeches - rather cringe-worthy. The ending is very far-fetched too and certainly disappointing. I was more excited about seeing Dowton Abbey's Lady Mary and the glorious Lupita Nyong'o star in the film than the actual movie itself. What they're doing here in this movie, I have no idea. An ok film, I guess, but not one to see anytime soon...or ever. 

Rating: *

The Grand Budapest Hotel

After seeing and loving the quirky take Wes Anderson took on Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox, I was certainly looking forward to seeing The Grand Budapest Hotel. Featured as a Trailer Tuesday back in January, I am very glad this lived up to and exceeded my expectations. The style of the film from the structure of chapters, the beautifully colourful cinematography and quick paced editing make the film a fabulous spectacle which lives up to the grandure of the hotel and character of Gustave H. (played by a wonderfully camp and witty Ralph Fiennes). It had me giggling throughout and the prison escape sequence is brilliantly executed. Lots of cameos from famous faces may distract, but I enjoyed every single one.

Rating: *****

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Shocking as it may be, but this is the first ever film out of the Marvel Avengers series that I have ever seen. Shocking, I know! So although I am certain that there were many references for which I did not pick up on or understand, I really enjoyed this film. I could easily follow the plot, although I was rather distracted by Chris Evans' muscles (not a bad thing in the slightest. They deserve an extra star.) The effects were awesome and the action sequences were tense and thrilling to watch. I liked the plot's focus on technology paranoia. The film has pushed me to seek out all the other Avenger movies which can only be a good thing. A great film, I think would be even better for the Marvel fans out there.

Rating: ****

Some good, some bad, some ugly...

which will be my March Film of the Month?

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Do you agree or disagree? 

Which films have you seen this month?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog

Sunday Classics: Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Image: wolfwhistle.org

"What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again..."

It's been a while since the last Sunday Classic. Three months to be exact. So to remedy this poor effort, I have picked my favourite film of all time.

Singin' in the Rain has been featured several times on Ticket Stub: on the Top Ten Dance Sequences in a Film list and, inevitably, in the Top Ten Scenes in the Rain.

Why is it my favourite film of all time? Well, for several reasons.

Firstly, it is a musical.
I love this genre and the film has become one of the ultimate classic film musicals in cinematic history. Full on dance routines, catchy songs, comedy and romance. My favourite!

Check out a snippet from one of the best dance sequences, Broadway Melody:

And another cracking routine and one of the best songs, Good Morning:

Second, it is a film about film-making. 
It's an important movie highlighting the evolution of movies after the introduction of sound: seeing its impact on the studios, audience and actors.

Image: mcphedranbadside.com

Third, Gene Kelly and Donold O'Connor are mesmerizing.
How can you not be in awe of their performances in Moses Supposes, Kelly's infamous Singin' in Rain and O'Connor's Make 'Em Laugh?

Fourth, Debbie Reynolds is a trooper.
In her first on screen role, Gene Kelly was a harsh director and tutor with Reynolds often in tears and left with her feet bleeding after the intense dance rehearsals. But it pays off as her performance is effortlessly charming. (Even if that isn't her real voice singing - ironic to say the least as the film is about her dubbing another actress due to her awful voice!)

Image: dtfst.wordpress.com

It is the perfect Sunday musical movie that I will never ever get bored of. 

It instantly makes me happy and is even more perfect on a rainy afternoon with a large slice of cake.

What's your favourite film of all time?

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Quote of the Day #9

"The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club"

Fight Club (1999)

Image: nofilmschool.com

Trailer Tuesday: Maleficent (2014)

Disney released this glorious new poster today for Maleficent (2014)
Image: metro.co.uk

Trailer Tuesday is back and this time with Disney's widely anticipated Maleficent.

Starring Angelina Jolie in the title role, the film is a live action remake of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale, however this time we follow Maleficent's perspective of the story. 

This is Robert Stromberg's directorial debut. He has previously worked as production designer on pictures such as Alice in Wonderland (2010) and Oz the Great and Powerful (2013). 

His magical and fantastical vision should therefore bode well for Maleficent. 

Other actors to look out for include: Peter Capaldi, Imelda Staunton, Miranda Richardson and Juno Temple. The special effects look spell-binding and, looking from the trailer and new poster released today (see above), Jolie fits the aesthetically beautiful yet pure evil nature of Disney's most iconic villain. 

I absolutely love Lana Del Rey's haunting version of Once Upon A Dream in this trailer. 

Hopefully there will be more soundtrack gems and Maleficent will live up to the hype when it is released in the UK on 30th May 2014.

What do you make of this trailer?

What films are you excited about for the rest of 2014?

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Throwback Thursday Trivia: MGM Lion

Jackie being filmed for MGM logo, 1928.
Image: niceoldspice.blogspot.com

A new feature for Ticket Stub: Throwback Thursday Trivia

Think of it as a movie fact of the day that you can impress your friends, family and colleagues with. 

So let's begin with the first edition...

Ever wondered about the story behind the famous MGM lion? You know this one:

There have been seven lions in total who have lent their furry faces and infamous roars to Metro Goldwyn Mayer's opening title. The very first lion, Slats, did not roar on screen - instead just looking about the logo - this was the silent era after all.

In 1928, however, MGM recorded Jackie's roar which was first heard by audiences seeing White Shadows in the South Seas at its premiere in New York. 

Although there have been seven lions playing the official Leo the Lion mascot, the current Leo is the longest serving of them all. From 1957 to the present day, we still see and hear Leo on the screen before our favourite MGM pictures.

To find out more, watch this video below:

Oscars 2014: Favourite Moments

Highlights from this year's awards, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres

There were some pretty memorable moments from Sunday's Oscars ceremony where 12 Years A Slave won Best Picture and there was a rather popular selfie posted on Twitter too.

What did you make of it this year?

I have picked my favourite moments from the awards.

1. Benedict Cumberbatch's Epic Photobomb on U2

As if Benedict Cumberbatch couldn't get any better, he only went and did the best photo-bomb EVER!

Image: abcnews.go.com

Actually there were quite a few on the night:

Jared Leto photo-bombs Anne Hathaway.

Image: dailymail.co.uk

Leto gets a taste of his own medicine from Lupita Nyong'o.

Image: eonline.com

2. Jennifer Lawrence Falling...Again

Just as she got out of the car, Jennifer Lawrence tripped and fell on the red carpet. She didn't think anyone saw - Jennifer there are a gazillion cameras, how could we not notice?!

3. John Travolta's Pronunciation of Idina Menzel

How on earth did he get this so wrong?

There is now a website where you can have your own name 'Travoltified'.
Please now call me "Harrison Smurphy".

4. Ellen Ordering Pizza for A List Guests

The pizza delivery guy got a $1000 tip for dishing out pizza to the likes of Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt.

Here's a follow up video on The Ellen Show with Edgar and Ellen explaining how it all happened. Ellen also presented him his well deserved tip. She collected the money, along with Lupita Nyong'o's lip balm, in Pharrell Williams' hat on the night.

5. Pharrell dancing with Lupita, Meryl and Amy

Speaking of Pharrell, he performed his hit single, featured in Despicable Me 2, Happy. Some of the nominated actresses joined in with Pharrell's performance. Meryl's shimmy wins it for me.

6. Steve McQueen Jumping for Joy

After winning the Best Picture Oscar for 12 Years A Slave, Steve McQueen displayed his true delight and celebrated with a bouncy jump after his acceptance speech.

Image: standard.co.uk

7. Ellen's Oscar Selfie

The most talked about and certainly the most tweeted moment of the night. I predicted in my Top Ten Film Award Moments that Ellen would do a selfie with at least one of the famous faces. In fact, loads of them jumped in on it - including Nyong'o's brother.

Unfortunately for Liza Minnelli, she was too short to get in on the most retweeted picture of all time.

Image: businessinsider.com

 Though she did have an opportunity later with Ellen.

What were your favourite moments from the awards?

Did the Academy get it right or wrong?

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