Pages

Sunday, 31 August 2014

August Film of the Month

August is over and it is time to look back at the best Film of the Month.
Have you seen any of these films? What did you think? Do you agree with my ratings?

To help your decision, here is Ticket Stub's 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.

Each film title links to their relevant IMDB pages so you can find out about plots, cast and crew.
So let's get on with it and see which movie will come out on top. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter @TicketStubBlog


Guardians of the Galaxy


Image: metrokids.com
At first, I wasn't too sure where this film was going - with a talking raccoon and special effects galore, my initial impression was 'oh, god what have I walked into? Is this just some silly movie for kids?'. However, once we get going, this film is a hoot. The script is brilliantly funny, almost bordering on spoofing the superhero blockbusters. The charismatic Chris Pratt (The Lego Movie, TV's Parks and Recreation) is a brilliant piece of casting as Peter Quill. He knows how to play comedy but we can also take him seriously as the hero of the film. Each character is intriguing and entertaining, put altogether their chemistry bursts a huge amount of energy on the screen. The plot may be a bit frantic in places, but a highly recommended film nonetheless. Another stand out moment? It has to be the soundtrack which is based on Quill's mixtape from the 1980s. Tracks include: I Want You Back by The Jackson 5 and Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Highly recommended for all the family.

Rating: ****



Image: metro.co.uk
The Inbetweeners 2 has been extremely successful at the box office. The movie, based on the popular E4 TV series, took £12.5 million in its first five days at the UK box office. So with its success in sales, is the film itself any good? Well, yes and no. Yes in the sense that the four socially inept guys are back, visiting Jay in Oz. The jokes are pretty funny including Will serenading his love interest in a great piece of cringe-worthy comedy. There are also plenty of snarky remarks on gap-year students and culture. However, some of the humor may be too vulgar for viewers - with physical comedy involving excrement and misogynistic themes throughout. Some jokes fall flat but if you don't like one, they'll be another to have you laughing. For fans of the TV show and first movie, it is more of the same and you know what to expect. Stay for the credits, as they are just as funny. Recommended to fans of the show, but do not worry if you miss this one.

Rating: *** 



Image: sideonetrackone.com
Daniel Radcliffe stars as Wallace - a geeky British med-school dropout living in Toronto. He meets Chantry who has a boyfriend. The film asks the inevitable 'will they/won't they' questions and the all important one - can men and women be just friends? I liked the themes of this, mainly because it reminded me of When Harry Met Sally (1989), however What If falls into the predictable rom-com cliches. I thought Radcliffe plays the comedy pretty well, but he doesn't have the same charm and heart-throb attractiveness as say, Hugh Grant. It is pretty certain that if this was made in the 90s, Grant would be all over this. What If is enjoyable but is certainly not a stand out rom-com.

Rating: **



Image: eadavisblog.wordpress.com

Scarlett Johansson stars in the thriller which, although slightly ridiculous, keeps you guessing as to what will happen when Lucy reaches 100% of her brain capacity. The movie is thrilling and having the weighty Morgan Freeman as the professor always adds a sense of dramatic seriousness. Lucy is great, up to a point. As she accesses more capacity, her powers become hard to fathom and the movie spirals out of control. Maybe that is the point though? The ending is very disappointing. When the credits rolled, I asked 'is that it?'. A fairly good thriller which starts as an entertaining piece, but soon becomes nonsense. 

Rating: **






A huge variety of films this month. Which is Ticket Stub's pick?



August Film of the Month is...



Guardians of the Galaxy


Check out the trailer below:


What is your August Film of the Month?

Let me know in the comments or tweet @TicketStubBlog



Friday, 22 August 2014

Best of the Bank Holiday Films

Stuck for things to do this bank holiday weekend?
How about checking out these films on telly over the next few days.
Ticket Stub has picked the best of the bunch, so grab the popcorn, sit back and relax with these movies over the weekend...

Friday:

Precious (2009), BBC2, 11.05pm


Image: nytimes.com
Based on the novel Push by Sapphire, this film achieved critical acclaim in 2009. It tells the story of Claireece Precious Jones: an illiterate and obese sixteen year old who is abused by both her mother and father in 1980s Harlem. She is enrolled into an alternative school in the hopes that her harrowing life will turn around. The movie was nominated for six awards at the Oscars and won two - Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Mo'Nique's performance as Precious's mother, Mary Lee Johnston.


(500) Days of Summer (2009), Channel 4, 11.40pm 
PICK OF THE DAY

Image: lavitastella.com
The story of Summer and Tom is not a love story - we're told this from the very beginning. Much like Annie Hall (1977), this off beat rom-com looks at Tom's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) failed relationship with Summer (Zooey Deschanel). The non-linear narrative is creative and clever. I love the quirky elements in the film including this brilliant dance number which was featured in Ticket Stub's Top Ten Dance Sequences. A huge highlight is the soundtrack - Regina Spektor, The Temper Trap, Simon & Garfunkel and The Smiths feature. Have a listen on Spotify, it will not disappoint.


Saturday:

The Wizard of Oz (1939), Channel 5, 3pm

Image: boktowergardens.org
A musical classic. After a tornado hits her home in Kansas, Dorothy is transported to the magical land of Oz. There she must follow the yellow brick road to meet the Wizard after accidentally killing the Wicked Witch of the East. Along the way she meets a brainless scarecrow, a heartless tin-man and a cowardly lion who all have their own reasons to meet the almighty powerful Oz. To find out more quirky facts about the film, check out Ticket Stub's Throwback Thursday Trivia.



Murder on the Orient Express (1974), ITV, 3.55pm


Image: moviemail.com
Based on Agatha Christie's novel, this is considered one of, if not, the best book-to-movie adaptations of Christie's work. After the train is stalled by a snow landslide, Poirot is summoned to solve a murder that has occurred the night before. The film stars Albert Finney, Ingrid Bergman, and the late, Lauren Bacall. Bergman won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Greta.



Jumanji (1995), GOLD, 6.50pm


Image: drafthouse.com
After the tragic death of Robin Williams last week, many TV networks have been airing Williams's best work. Jumanji is a great family adventure which had me on tenterhooks as a kid. The movie centres on Alan, a 12 year old boy who finds the dangerous board game Jumanji and gets trapped playing the game with his friend, Sarah. When siblings, Judy and Peter, play twenty six years later, they unintentionally release Alan and attempt to save Sarah and finally finish the unpredictable game. To see Ticket Stub's tribute to Robin Williams click here.


Star Wars: Episode VI - The Return of the Jedi (1983), ITV, 9.45pm

Image: thefancarpet.com
For sci-fi fans, here is your pick of the day. The third installment of the Star Wars saga follows straight after the previous episode. After rescuing Han Solo from the palace of Jabba the Hutt, the rebels must attempt to destroy the second Death Star. At the same time, Luke Skywalker struggles to bring Darth Vader, his father and fallen Jedi, back from the dark side of the Force. Many will be looking forward to the new Star Wars: Episode VII, scheduled for 2015. Unfortunately, Harrison Ford recently broke his ankle whilst on set but is reportedly to be recovering well!



The Full Monty (1997), Sky1, 9pm
PICK OF THE DAY


Image: theguardian.com
The Full Monty is a much loved British comedy. Not only is it hilarious, it is also set in one the best cities - Sheffield. The movie sees six unemployed steel workers form their own Chippendales-style striptease act, with the promise of going the full monty. The ensemble cast, which includes Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy and Tom Wilkinson, are highly entertaining. The film scored critical acclaim internationally. It was the highest grossing film in the UK until the big blockbuster Titanic came along. The film was also nominated for four Oscars and won Best Original Music Score. 


Insomnia (2002), BBC2, 11pm

Image: seetimaar.wordpress.com
Another Robin Williams film, this time in one of his more serious roles. Insomnia follows the story of two LA homicide detectives investigating a murder of a local teen in an Alaskan town. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this remake also stars Hilary Swank and Al Pacino. A tense thriller for a Saturday night.






Sunday:

Edward Scissorhands (1990), Film4, 4.40pm
PICK OF THE DAY


Image: deppimpact.com
This is Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's first collaboration. The story follows an inventor's unfinished creation - Edward - who has scissors for hands (clue's in the title!). When he is taken in by a suburban family, he falls in love with the daughter, Kim. Although many of the town folk fear Edward, he has a gentle soul which Kim immediately connects to and the pair fall in love. 
Danny Elfman's music is enchanting and it is an excellent film to introduce new audiences of Burton's work to. Find out more about the famous Edward Scissorhands costume, by clicking here.






Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), GOLD, 6.50pm 

Image: tempi.it
Certainly the best film to combine live action and animation together. Bob Hoskins stars as Eddie Valiant - a private detective investigating a murder involving Roger Rabbit. Directed by the legendary Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, Cast Away), the movie is a popular favourite for all the family. The film won four Academy Awards: Best Sound Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing along with a Special Achievement Award for Richard Williams. This was for 'animation direction and creation of the cartoon characters'.



Miss Congeniality (2000), Watch, 6.55pm


Image: derekwinnert.com
A girly film starring Sandra Bullock as an undercover FBI agent who has to take part in Miss United States beauty pageant competition to find out who is to sabotage and bomb the show. Bullock is charming and hysterical as the tomboy agent. She is also joined by a wonderfully camp Michael Caine. Full of gags and entertaining performances.







Monday:
Rio (2011), Film4, 12.50pm

Image: cartoonsimages.com
After its recent sequel hitting cinemas earlier in the year, the first movie Rio flies onto our small screens. Animated by Dreamworks, it tells the tale of Blu - a rare domesticated macaw - who is taken from his comfy life in Minnesota to Rio de Janeiro to mate with the female macaw, Jewel. The cast looks splendid with voices from Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Jane Lynch, Jamie Foxx and, rather randomly, will.i.am.




The King and I (1956), Film4, 2.40pm


Imag: screenmom.com
It wouldn't be a bank holiday without a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Deborah Kerr plays Anna Leonowens, an English widow who comes to Siam in 1862 to tutor the children of the King. Despite their culture clash, the two fall in love. The musical was nominated for nine Oscars and won four, including Best Actor for Yul Brynner.





Airplane! (1980), Film4, 7.15pm
PICK OF THE DAY

One of the most ridiculously silly comedies ever. Airplane! is a satirical disaster spoof which sees Ted, an ex-pilot afraid of flying, attempt to win back the heart of flight attendant, Elaine, on a long haul flight. However, when a virus hits the passengers and crew, Ted must save everyone on board. Starring Leslie Nielsen, the gags come thick and fast with slapstick, sight gags, plenty of puns and dead pan acting. If you don't like one joke, you're bound to like the next.   



I hope you have a wonderful bank holiday weekend!

What films will you be seeing at the cinema or at home this weekend?

Don't forget to follow Ticket Stub on Twitter @TicketStubBlog


Tuesday, 19 August 2014

Trailer Tuesday: Gone Girl (2014)

Image: independent.co.uk
This week's Trailer Tuesday is based on the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn: Gone Girl.

David Fincher, best known for Fight Club (1999), The Social Network (2010) and, most recently, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), directs this tense thriller. 
The film tells the story of Nick - a husband who reports his wife, Amy, missing and becomes a suspect in her mysterious disappearance. A huge search party and media frenzy entails which puts Nick under intense scrutiny and has us all asking the question: did he kill his wife?

Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike play the broken married couple. The fantastic Neil Patrick Harris and Missi Pyle also feature in the film. I cannot wait to see this movie. The trailer is gripping and full of suspense before we've even set foot in the cinema. After enjoying Fincher's previous work, I am very much looking forward to seeing this.

Gone Girl will open the New York Film Festival this year, running from the 26th September to 12th October. The film will be released in the UK on 3rd October 2014.

Take a look at the trailer below and let me know your thoughts in the comments or tweet @TicketStubBlog





Tuesday, 12 August 2014

Remembering Robin Williams (1951-2014)


Image: blackandwhiteactors.tumblr.com
Hollywood is a little less bright today. Yesterday, the comic star Robin Williams died, aged 63. Like many people across the world, I adored Williams's work and his ability to make my sides ache with laughter. I am deeply shocked and, for the first time in a long while, genuinely upset about this tragic loss.

I grew up on his films - the tense adventure in Jumanji (1995), the cross-dressing nanny in Mrs Doubtfire (1993) and, my favourite, the genius Genie in Aladdin (1992)
Watching this clip back of all the best bits still makes me giggle! 
It is certainly the role I will remember him for the most.



As well as comedic roles, Williams took on more serious characters. He won the 1998 Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in Good Will Hunting (1997) and was nominated for performances in Good Morning Vietnam (1987), Dead Poets Society (1989) and The Fisher King (1991).

He brought so much joy to the screen not only in his films but also in interviews. I'll never forget him on The Graham Norton Show - one of the most hilarious episodes ever:



I have many films that are on my 'to watch' list. Dead Poets Society is one of them. It seems only appropriate that I'll be watching this tonight in memory of one of the all time greats. 

Goodbye Mr. Williams. We will miss you.

Image: blogs.disney.com

How will you remember Robin Williams?

What is your most loved film or character of his?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog


Monday, 11 August 2014

Quote of the Day #20

"Good morning! And in case I don't see ya: 
good afternoon, good evening and good night!"

The Truman Show (1998)

Image: moviepilot.com

What is your favourite quote from The Truman Show?

What about Jim Carrey's other films?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog



Tuesday, 5 August 2014

Trailer Tuesday: Into the Woods (2014)

Image: teaser-trailer.com
Not gonna lie, I'm pretty excited for this one. 
The new Into the Woods trailer was released last week and it looks magical.

Into the Woods is Stephen Sondheim's musical take on the Brothers Grimm fairy-tales. Winning Tony Awards and Oliviers for both its original productions and revivals, the musical is highly popular and adored across the world. Fans, including myself, have been eagerly anticipating a first glimpse of the film. 

Directed by Chicago (2002) director, Rob Marshall, the movie has one of the best ever casts: Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine (looking very charming indeed), James Corden, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp.  

The set design and special effects certainly look impressive. Above all though, I'm excited to see the songs and story brought to the screen. It's ticking all the right boxes, so hopefully it will live up to the hype and expectation.

Into the Woods will be released in the UK at Christmas.

Check out the trailer below:




What do you make of Into the Woods?

Seen any other great trailers that you think Ticket Stub should share?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog

Saturday, 2 August 2014

Happy 1st Birthday Ticket Stub Film Club!


I cannot believe that Ticket Stub started one year ago today. More than that, I can't believe I have managed to regularly post and keep the blog going! To celebrate this momentous occasion, I thought it would be appropriate to look back at some of the best bits of the year. What has worked and what hasn't? 
Into a new chapter of Ticket Stub Film Club we go! 

Subscribe to my blog for free by either following on Google+ or via email on the right hand side of this post.

Most Viewed

The most popular post so far on Ticket Stub has been the Best Tennis Scenes from last month. To tie in with one of the best times of year - Wimbledon - I happily researched and re-watched some of the movies featured. I'm enjoying doing posts which mirror things happening in real life so the blog keeps current, fresh and involved in conversations outside of film.

Check out the other most viewed posts to the right of this page, including Top Ten Lists, Soundtrack Saturdays and Johnny Depp's best costumes.

Image: clothesonfilm.cm

Most Engaged

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to get more of a response to posts. Although Ticket Stub has been gradually going up with views, I need to encourage comments further. The best response I ever had was for your Favourite Film Scores of All Time (many thanks to BBC Radio 3 for retweeting!).

Image: bbc.co.uk

New Year's Resolutions

Have I kept any of the New Year's Resolutions? As I said above, creating more engagement and conversation is an area I want to improve on. However, I now have a better blogging pattern - sometimes up to three posts a week. July being the best month for regular posts so far.

I'm very much enjoying doing Ticket Stub's Film of the Month reviews too. I need to improve on writing lengthier pieces, as I did in January. With this in mind, the recent July Film of the Month had me back to this form with full length reviews.


Twitter

Presently, @TicketStubBlog has 64 followers. I am aiming for this to grow to 100 by at least the end of the year. So if you aren't following already - click the button to be updated and involved with Ticket Stub posts and film news from around the world.



What do you think Ticket Stub could improve on?

What has been your favourite post of the year?

Let me know in the comments below or tweet @TicketStubBlog on Twitter