Trailer Tuesday: American Sniper (2014)

Image: seat42f.com

After directing the slightly disappointing Jersey Boys (2014) - click here to see my review - Clint Eastwood is back in the directorial chair. His new film, American Sniper, is set to be a much greater success. And if the trailer is anything to go by, it certainly will get audiences hooked.

The movie is based on Chris Kyle's autobiography of the same title. The Navy S.E.A.L has been acknowledged as the deadliest sniper in American military history. His confirmed kill count reached 160 deaths out of 255 claimed kills. He served four tours during the Iraq War and was awarded with various medals for his service.

Bradley Cooper plays Kyle and the movie spans his military career. Sienna Miller also stars as Kyle's wife, Taya Renae Kyle. 

The trailer is very tense and I am definitely intrigued to find out more.

The movie will be released in the States on Christmas Day, but UK audiences will have to wait until 16th January 2015.

Check out the trailer here:

Seen any great trailers worth sharing?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog with your suggestions

June Film of the Month

Can you believe we are half way through 2014?
Only 6 months til we find out Ticket Stub's Film of the Year!

I've seen three films this month so let's see who will come out on top.

As always, here are my review ratings:

* = 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.

All movie titles link to their respective IMDB pages where you can find out more.

Do you agree? Let me know in the comments below or tweet @TicketStubBlog

22 Jump Street

After seeing 21 Jump Street and being pleasantly surprised at how hilarious it was, I was looking forward to seeing this sequel. Although it may not be as funny as the first, 22 still had me giggling throughout. The film was great in taking the mickey out of itself - mainly stating that the second time round is always more expensive and less funny. The bromance between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum is as strong as ever. Stay for the end credits - plenty of laughs to be had including a brilliant cameo by Seth Rogen. Recommended comedy choice.

Rating: ***

The Fault in Our Stars

Being a fan of the book by John Green, I was in full support of this film before it began - biased, I know! I'm thrilled that the comedy came across on screen as the book, as well as being incredibly sad, has plenty of wit. There were a few set backs though. Some of the lines are a tad too cheesy and that scene in the Anne Frank house? Terribly cringe-worthy. Despite this, the emotion of Hazel and Gus's story had me in tears, along with the whole cinema by the sounds of the sniffing. Bring tissues.

Rating: ****

Jersey Boys

Featured as Trailer Tuesday back in May, I was quite excited to see the adaptation of the Tony award winning musical. However, I was left slightly disappointed. The musical numbers, although were very good, fell slightly flat. Is it because Clint Eastwood isn't used to making a musical? It is certainly evident here. Subsequently, the film's pace dragged with unnecessary amounts of dialogue. It is only until the end credits that the pazazz I'm sure many cinema goers were hoping for comes alive. Too little, too late unfortunately.

Rating: **

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

The Fault in Our Stars

What films have you seen this month?

Did you enjoy The Fault in Our Stars?

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

Top Ten Film Award Moments

2 weeks ago the Golden Globes kicked off the film awards season. There were plenty of brilliant moments on the night, mostly from the hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler with their hilarious monologue and a drunk Emma Thomspon throwing her shoes. I'm sure there will be plenty more memorable moments to come over the next month or so, but in the meantime I've chosen my Top Ten Film Award Moments. 

What are yours? Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog and you could be featured in the next post.

1. Colin Firth aka Prince Charming

As if he wasn't charming enough, when Meryl Streep went up to accept her BAFTA award for The Iron Lady, Colin Firth ran to her rescue. Streep's shoe came off as she walked up the stairs but, ever the gentlemen and as if from a fairytale, Firth saved the high heel placing it back on Streep's foot.

2. Hugh Jackman Oscar Medley

Hugh Jackman features prominently in this list, and this is one of the best moments ever at the Oscars. Hosting in 2009, Jackman sang a whole medley, with a little help from Anne Hathaway, bringing together all the films nominated for Best Picture. Just pure brilliance.

3. Billy Crystal's 2012 Oscar Monologue

Hosting 9 times, I had to pick at least one of Billy Crystal's opening monologues with his wonderful trademark 'Oscar Oscar' song! Click here to see the video of his 2012 monologue (for some silly reason it is not on YouTube).

Image: nydailynews.com

4. Jennifer Lawrence wins Best Actress, Oscars 2013

Jennifer Lawrence was certainly shocked when she won the Best Actress Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook. And as she walked up the stairs, she fell up them. Come to the rescue - Hugh Jackman! Another Prince Charming moment. The rest of the audience stood up for the actress whilst she said 'you guys are just standing up 'cause you feel bad that I fell and that's really embarrassing'.

5. Ricky Gervais's 2011 Golden Globes Monologue

A controversial host for the Golden Globes, presenting from 2010 to 2013. I've chosen Ricky Gervais's 2011 opening monologue. His comments on The Tourist may have left us giggling but he certainly did not impress Johnny Depp. Awkward and hilarious.

6. 'You're Boring' Song

You know the bit where an actor/actress/director etc is accepting their award, gushing in their speech and THAT music comes on beckoning the person to shut up and get off stage? Did you know there are apparently lyrics to this song? Jack Black and Will Ferrell have the answers.

7. Ellen's Picture with Clint Eastwood, by Steven Spielberg

Hosting in 2007, Ellen DeGeneres takes the opportunity to have a picture with Clint Eastwood. Who better to take it than Steven Spielberg? Just get that framing right, Steve. Also - is it weird that hearing that it's 'for my MySpace' sounds dated now? Ellen is hosting the 2014 Oscars and I'm hoping she will get a selfie with another famous face.

8. Sandra Bullock: From Worst Actress to Best Actress

The Razzies look at the year's worst Hollywood films and performances. Sandra Bullock was one of the rare actors to accept their Razzie award in person. The day after the awards, Bullock won her first Oscar. The accolades were for two different films - the Razzie was for her performance in All About Steve whilst her Best Actress Oscar was for The Blind Side in 2010. Her Golden Rasberry and Academy Award now sit side by side. Here's her acceptance speech at the Razzies.

9. Gollum accepts MTV Movie Award

Back in 2003, Gollum won the MTV Movie Award for Best Virtual Performance. As Andy Serkis accepts the award, who comes along to eff and jeff about Dobby from Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson? It's only Gollum himself!

10. Ensemble of Les Miserables Sing at the Oscars

The final Hugh Jackman mention in the list. Last year the cast of Les Mis all sang together for a showstopping performance of One Day More. A rare moment as the cast had never sung altogether before.

What are your favourite film award moments?

What are your predictions for this year's Oscars?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog with your suggestions