May Film of the Month

May is over and another Film of the Month is due! This month I saw an all time Tarantino classic, a bunch of superheros fighting it out and one very evil queen seeking revenge. Who will be on top for May Film of the Month? Find out below, but first - here is the usual 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 in the comments below or tweet @TicketStubBlog

Click on the film titles to be directed to their respective IMDB page.

X-Men: Days of Future Past

My friend, Emma, and I had intended on seeing Godzilla this particular evening but it was sold out. Therefore, we chose to see X Men: Days of Future Past and we were not disappointed - mainly because Hugh Jackman started the film completely starkers, (yes that is getting an extra star). Jokes aside, the story was tense and thrilling - just what you want from an action movie. The effects are awesome, especially the scene involving Quicksilver - you'll know it when you see it - a completely memorizing and memorable moment. Michael Fassbender was splendid in this too and I was very happy to see my favourite Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage with a spiffing 1970s mustache. Highly recommended.

Rating: ****

Maleficent

Angelina Jolie was made for this role. She has the presence, authority and looks that make Maleficent one of the most menacing characters. Similarly, the film itself is visually gorgeous. Stunning set design pieces, especially with the castle and thorny forest, make it a very lush and magical land. But is it style over substance? There are twists to the Sleeping Beauty (1959) story which I liked - particularly with the true love's kiss which reminded me of Frozen (2013). I did enjoy the film but it was not a complete knockout. The fairies were rather annoying and unfunny and I would have liked Maleficent to be a little bit more dark. Having said that, it certainly has made me want to re-watch the original Sleeping Beauty. A good solid film which will be popular with Disney fans.


Rating: ***




Pulp Fiction (1994) - 20th Anniversary Screening

Unfortunately, I will not be including this film in the Film of the Month choice as Pulp Fiction has been out for 20 years now! My brother and I headed to our local cinema to see the Tarantino classic in its 20th anniversary year. I hadn't seen the movie for over 5 years and it made the world of difference seeing it on the big screen with the soundtrack on full blast.

I'm going to keep an eye out for these old films in cinemas because it is great to see them exactly how they were intended to be seen - surround sound, a giant screen and a dedicated audience to watch.

Of course, I am going to give the film a very high rating as I love it. No doubt I'll be recommending it as a Sunday Classic and Soundtrack Saturday on Ticket Stub in the future.

Rating: *****

So Ticket Stub's May Film of the Month is...

X Men: Days of Future Past

Do you agree?

What films have you seen this month?

Let me know in the comments or tweet @TicketStubBlog

Quote of the Day #14

"We're not bad people. We just come from a bad place"

Shame (2011)

Image: funny-pictures.picphotos.net

Happy Birthday to Carey Mulligan who is 29 today!

What is your favourite film starring Carey Mulligan?

Trailer Tuesday: Foxcatcher (2014)

Image: collider.com

Today's Trailer Tuesday comes straight after its huge praise and success at the Cannes Film Festival. This week Ticket Stub's choice is Foxcatcher.

The movie is based on the true story of Olympic wrestling champion Mark Schultz and his relationship with paranoid schizophrenic mentor, John du Pont. The film is based on Mark Schultz's autobiography and the movie has already received enormous acclaim from critics. 

Starring Channing Tatum and an almost unrecognisable Steve Carell, the movie looks to be dark, dramatic and gripping. I do love it when comedic actors take on the more serious roles - and they are usually tremendous at it - I'm mainly thinking of Jim Carrey in The Truman Show (1998) and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). Foxcatcher also features Mark Ruffalo, Vanessa Redgrave and Sienna Miller. 

Check out the trailer below and let me know what you think.

Seen any good trailers recently? 

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog

Throwback Thursday Trivia: Wilhelm Scream

In case you missed the first Throwback Thursday Trivia, click here to find out about MGM's iconic mascot.

This week, Ticket Stub looks at one of the most used sound effects in the film and television industry: 

the Wilhelm Scream.

You've probably heard it a gazillion times but never realised there is a name for it or that it even exists. Here is a compilation of examples where the Wilhelm Scream is used - often with someone falling, being shot or thrown from an explosion.

How did this sound effect become so commonplace in film-making?

First used in the 1951 film, Distant Drums, the sound effect was recorded for a scene where a man gets bitten by an alligator. However, it is most famously used in a different film: The Charge at Feather River (1953). (See first clip in the compilation video above.) The name of the character who gets struck in the leg by an arrow is Private Wilhelm. The name stuck and the effect was used repeatedly in subsequent Warner Bros. films.

Nowadays, the Wilhelm Scream is widely recognised by film fanatics due to its extensive use in the Star Wars and Indiana Jones series. Sound designer Ben Burrt rediscovered the stock sound effect and incorporated it into these big film franchises. Since then, many films have referenced the Wilhelm Scream and is often seen as an in-joke for filmmakers. 

So next time you're at the movies, keep your ears out for one of the most iconic sounds in cinema!

To find out more, check out this video on the history of the Wilhelm Scream:

Trailer Tuesday: Jersey Boys (2014)

Image: retrokimmer.com

Trailer Tuesday is back! Inspired by the Stagestruck Festival this week in Sheffield, I have picked the musical Jersey Boys as Ticket Stub's recommended future film.

This is one of the most popular musicals in recent musical theatre history - winning four Tony awards on Broadway and the Olivier award for Best New Musical in the 2009 London West End production.

 Clint Eastwood directs this picture which tells the story of The Four Seasons: from their inception, rise to fame and eventual break-up. Similar to Dreamgirls (2006), this is all artfully woven with the band's best rock n' roll songs from the 1960s, such as Big Girls Don't Cry, Can't Take My Eyes Off You and December 1963 (Oh, What A Night). Pure classics that you can't help but tap your feet along to in this trailer.

Many of the original Broadway stars are reprising their roles in this film, including the lead John Lloyd Young playing Frankie Valli. The musical numbers sound pretty good to me which hopefully means we are sure to avoid any murderous singing by big screen stars. (Yes, I'm thinking back to Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia. Well, I'd rather forget actually).

I'm liking the look of Jersey Boys, particularly with the direct fourth-wall narration by each band member. Also, being a huge musical theatre fan, this is right up my street! 

Jersey Boys is set for release in the USA on June 20th 2014. It will also be the closing night film at the LA Film Festival this year.

Let me know what you think of the trailer in the comments below or tweet @TicketStubBlog.

If you're in Sheffield this week, the Stagestruck Festival will be featuring some the greatest musicals that made it from Broadway to Hollywood. A selection of classics from On the Town (1949), Funny Girl (1968), to Dreamgirls (2006) and Les Miserables (2012) will be shown, so get yourself down to the Showroom Cinema for your musical fix.

Follow them on Twitter: @StagestruckFest

Quote of the Day #13

"Houston, I have a bad feeling about this mission..."

Gravity (2013)

Image: movies.yahoo.com

What's your favourite space movie quote?

Let Ticket Stub know in the comments below or tweet @TicketStubBlog