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: ****

The Inbetweeners 2

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: *** 

What If

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: **

Lucy

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