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Movie Review – The Lego Batman Movie

February 24, 2017 by Bel Leave a Comment

As I mentioned in my previous post about Sing, we were lucky enough to see two movies over half term and this was the other movie – The Lego Batman movie. If you have seen the original The Lego Movie, then you may well be prepared for the humour and ridiculousness of The Lego Batman movie, but if not then be prepared!

I want to start by saying, I did really enjoy The Lego Batman movie. It was pretty much exactly what I expected it to be. The humour was there in heaps. But so was the stupidity. If you were to say the movie wasn’t ridiculous in parts, then you’d be lying. That’s not to say it’s a bad thing, but its just a fact. Kids will love it – they will probably even laugh at parts they don’t understand. People who love Batman, will probably love it or hate it. Adults will definitely find humour in it – but may well be divided on whether or not it’s a good movie. There are so many nods to older Batman movies, comics and even the original TV series, that you can’t help but appreciate the effort that has gone into the movie, even if plot is definitely somewhat lacking.

Anyway, the movie is obviously about Batman. He’s a loner. He doesn’t really like people. He doesn’t really do anything other than fight crime, but even then he’s just indifferent about it all. There are so many DC villains in this movie, it’s unreal. The movie really starts with the realisation that Batman just sort of takes everything and everyone for granted and doesn’t even care enough to dislike the Joker – shock horror! This upsets Joker somewhat and sets him on a path to prove that Batman wouldn’t be happy if Joker wasn’t there to be his biggest enemy. The story then gets a little far fetched – but in someways adds more humour, especially with the addition of other bad guys (my favourite being Voldermort). So without spoiling things, the movie twists and turns in a fairly predictable but still enjoyable (and funny) manner, resulting in a sort of sad/happy moment (where some may cry – my kids did – but I didn’t, as it was still a bit stupid).

I’m sure my review doesn’t make it sound great but it also probably doesn’t give it enough credit where credit is due. I laughed. I laughed a lot. I enjoyed it. But it was ridiculous. Would I watch it again? Yeah probably. Would I buy it on DVD? Nope…

Movies to look out for in 2017

January 13, 2017 by Bel 1 Comment

After seeing Star Wars: Rogue One the other day, which technically is a 2016 movie, I decided it might be exciting to look at what is being released in 2017. As you probably know, I absolutely love movies. I try hard to keep up with new releases at the cinema but unfortunately being a mum and working for myself, often get in the way. While there wasn’t as many movies to look forward to as I expected, here’s what I found.

January

A Monster Calls is by far the movie to look out for at the beginning of the year. I have to admit it wasn’t even on my radar until Megan told me she was reading the book at school, then I noticed there was a film release by the same name. When we went to the cinema to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, I saw a trailer and I was sold. I have to say, I still don’t know an awful lot about the storyline but I’d definitely like to see it. Otherwise, I don’t know anything about the other movies being released in January though I have seen previous XXX movies and I’m not fussed about Underworld.

February

Another quiet month is February, with the only movie we’re likely to see being The LEGO Batman movie. Again I don’t know a huge amount about the movie and I wasn’t even a massive fan of the Lego Movie, but Lily is massively into Batman right now and Chris always has been so I have a feeling we’ll be squeezing that into our half term. Fifty Shades Darker is also another major movie out that month but it doesn’t hold any interest for me.

March

Maybe I’m just not very up on new movies but March also seems quiet for movies I want to see. My top pick by far is Beauty and the Beast, even though I’m skeptical about the Live Action version. Disney’s animated version is my absolute favourite movie and so while I may hold my breath whilst watching, I still can’t wait to see it. Also on the list for March is Logan as a possibility. I do love Hugh Jackman, especially as Wolverine so this will be a consideration. There is a Power Rangers movie out that I’m sure will be popular, as might Ghost in the Shell but again, no interest.

April

Just in time for Easter holidays, is yet another Smurf movie. This is called Smurfs: The Lost Village and while I did enjoy the other two movies, there is no Neil Patrick Harris in these so I’m not sold yet. Sadly there is nothing else that grabs me for April either! There is yet another Fast and the Furious movie out this month but sadly I gave up watching them some time ago.

May

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 is out in May and this could well be the only movie I want to see in May. I loved the first Guardians of the Galaxy and I am a huge superhero movie fan (especially Marvel) so this will be a must. I have no idea what it will be like but fingers crossed it will be good and not a terrible sequel. I notice also that there is an Alien movie – Alien: Covenant – but I’ve heard nothing about that and can only assume it’s connected somehow to the Alien movies by it’s title. There is also another PotC movie out, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales but I have to admit I haven’t even seen the last one yet, despite liking the first couple. There is a Baywatch movie too but… well no comment.

June

Wonder Woman is out in June and while I haven’t seen Batman Vs Superman yet (nor am I in any rush) from what I can understand, Wonder Woman stood out as much as Spider Man did in Captain America: Civil War. Lily is massively into the DC girls at the moment so depending on it’s rating, we may see it with the kids. However Chris has also always been into DC more than Marvel so I’m sure we’ll be going no matter what. Chris mentioned seeing The Mummy but I don’t really understand it as a movie. Is it a re-make of the first one or just a movie by the same name? Also Tom Cruise is in it so…
Cars 3 is also out in June but I haven’t seen Cars 2 yet, despite owning it on DVD! I’m definitely not as into the Cars/Planes movies for Pixar as I am some of their others but no doubt Cars 3 will get seen, even if its not at the movies. June is clearly THE month for movies, even if not great ones. Despicable Me 3 is also out, as is Transformers: The Last Knight. I liked Despicable Me (the first one) but not so much 2 and I’ve always been a Transformers fan but I didn’t see the last one at the cinema and so I doubt I will see this one there either.

July

As I mentioned in June about Wonder Woman, the new Spider Man definitely stood out in his role in CA:CW. I loved Tobey Maguire as Spider Man and while I had mixed feelings about re-casting, I liked Andrew Garfield too (though I still haven’t seen The Amazing Spider Man 2). I’m really hoping this new Spider Man: Homecoming movie will be great, but even if not there will be a few minutes of Robert Downey Jr and so that’s a win. Apparently there is an Untitled Disney Movie set for this month too (Live Action) so I’m sure that’s something we’ll be keeping an eye out for!

August

There is absolutely nothing scheduled for August that grabs me as a must-see movie, or even a maybe see movie. In fact, something called The Emoji Movie is coming out and that just makes me roll my eyes.

September

There is nothing in September either, though an Untitled Sony Animation vaguely has my interest. There seems to be a Flatliners remake and I’m not sure how I feel about that either.

October

Despite not thinking there would be another Saw movie out, Saw: Legacy is being released in October. That said, I never have and never will see a Saw movie at the cinema, despite loving them, as I’d be too scared about freaking out. Instead we will likely wait for it to arrive on DVD. Nothing else grabs me, especially Blade Runner and Cloverfield sequels (or remakes?). There is a My Little Pony movie which, if desperate, we may see with the kids.

November

Thor: Ragnarok is out in November and since he didn’t star in the most recent Captain America movie, I’m definitely having Thor withdrawal. That said, I didn’t see Thor 2 for ages after it was released and November can be a little busy so I guess we’ll have to see. Also out in November is Justice League and while I really want to love it (and see it of course), I have huge concerns as to the quality of some of the more recent DC movies, namely Man of Steel and Batman Vs Superman.

December

Not a huge Star Wars fan but Star Wars VIII is out and we are bound to go see it as Chris loves Star Wars. Pitch Perfect 3 is out too and I LOVE the Pitch Perfect movies. December is a little unfortunate in timing as we’re always busy but hopefully we’ll make time. I believe there is also an Untitled WB movie due out in December but no doubt more will be released about that nearer the time. There is also Jumanji which I’m sure will be popular generally but probably won’t be something we see.

If anyone has any recommendations, about any I haven’t mentioned, I would love to know. I don’t keep as up to date on movies as I would like to at the moment so I’m always happy to learn more!

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Movie Review: Avengers – Age of Ultron

April 26, 2015 by Bel 7 Comments

Before I start to tell you about my Florida holiday, I want to tell you all about the latest movie I saw – Avengers: Age of Ultron (it’s Marvel/Disney though so it’s okay). On Friday, Nat and I went to the cinema – as we often do – to see the newest Avengers movie and both of us really enjoyed it!

As with all my reviews, no spoilers. However that always makes it difficult to tell you very much. What I can tell you is that it’s long!!! It’s not a complaint, but definitely a warning. Nat and I both went to the toilet before it began but only half way through, needed it again (TMI??) We did take a drink in with us (which we probably shouldn’t havbe) but yeah… warning!

In all seriousness though, I personally loved this movie. I’m a great lover of superhero movies anyway and on Friday I actually wrote about the good and the not so good superhero movies, over at Twice the Mum (and later republished on my own blog). This new Avengers movie would definitely be around the top of my list – if not for any other reason than RDJ as Iron Man is epic (as always). I tried to avoid any trailers or reading too much about the plot, so it was really nice to go into the movie not knowing much about it. I loved the concept and idea for the movie, though at times I felt a little lost, but I also loved the new characters getting gradually pulled into the plot (and it made me realise I really need to watch X-Men: Days of Future Past!). It was nice to see Hawkeye take more of a role this time and of course its nice to see all the Avengers working as more of a cohesive team. I’ve never really liked Scarlett Johansson but actually in the Avengers movies I find her fairly tolerable. As I said before, I loved Iron Man and he has now become my clear favourite (I was torn between him and Thor before). I especially loved Iron Man’s Hulk version. The ending with Hulk was a bit frustrating but not altogether surprising, I’m glad to see there is an Avengers 3 on the cards though – even if rumour has it that RDJ will be sliding out of the franchise at that point!

For anyone who likes an action movie, especially Superhero, I’d say it’s a must-see. At the cinema it holds so much more effect too – with the load noises, big screen, dramatic effect etc. That said, I’ll be getting it on DVD to watch again when it comes out, especially as the kids will want to see it. I loved this Avengers movie though truth me told, I probably love the last one a little bit more.

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Upcoming Movies in 2015

January 1, 2015 by Bel 4 Comments

I love movies – I would definitely say that movie watching is one of my hobbies. Over the Christmas period, the kids and I are hoping to watch both Paddington and the new Tinker Bell movie, but what are the best picks for the upcoming year? Well first of all, I want to start off by actually seeing Mockingjay (Part 1) as I can’t believe I haven’t seen it yet. I also believe Into the Woods is due to be released soon and I’ll be first in line for that one. After those though, Big Hero 6 is definitely top of the list!

Already released in the USA, Big Hero 6 is apparently out here on 30th January. That said, there is a preview showing on 4th January and fingers crossed we might be going to that! This will probably be the first movie of 2015, that I actually made an effort to see. It is Disney, after all!

Taken 3 is also on my January list, though I’m yet to see Taken or Taken 2. More than likely, it will be a DVD job, catching up on all three at the same time. February is looking pretty bleak, with only Fifty Shades of Grey, catching my interest. I have to admit that I found the books dire and I imagine the movie with be the same, but just like Magic Mike – there is definite curiosity.

With March comes Cinderella – Disney again. I quite enjoyed the Maleficent movie, which was obviously a live action rather than an animation. While I wouldn’t say I’m expecting great things, I am interested to see what they’ll do with it.

Also in March is the second part in the Divergent trilogy – Insurgent. I’ve already read the book so I’m eager to see the movie. Sadly, April doesn’t bring much interest for me. I can’t really see anything that I’m interested in, though of course trailers nearer the time, might prove differently!

May looks like it might be a good month though. Not only is it my birthday, but Pitch Perfect 2 AND The Avengers: Age of Ultron are both being released. When looking up 2015 movies, I also saw Far From a Madding Crowd (a Thomas Hardy novel that I love) and Tomorrowland (another Disney movie). I’ve not really seen much about either, but I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for them.

June brings with it, Jurassic World, which in all honesty, I’m not sure about. There is also Ted 2, which if the first one was anything to go by, I’ll be giving that a miss. In July there is Terminator: Genisys, which I’ve heard nothing about. Having looked into it, Arnold Schwarzenegger is in… so god only knows what the plot is. Also in July is the Minions movie, which I feel sure we’ll see. There is also Ant-Man which I know Chris wants to see and Pan – presumably something about Peter Pan. Believe it or not, there is a Magic Mike XXL, which I can’t even bring myself to look into. I have no idea how that’s become a sequel.

In August there is a Fantastic Four reboot, called The Fantastic Four. I’m not really so sure about this, as reboots don’t always work out. I guess it can’t be much worse than the original movies, but I did like Chris Evans as the Human Torch. I suppose it goes without saying that it would require a reboot, especially when Chris Evans then became Captain America.

September has the second movie in The Maze Runner series, Scorch Trials. I really enjoyed the first movie and have since bought the books to read. I’m looking forward to seeing the second movie, hopefully after reading the full set of books. Also in September is Hotel Transylvania 2 and since the first one was pretty good, we’ll probably see that in time for Halloween.

There are a few interesting looking movies in October, but the only one that really stands out is The Jungle Book. Another live action instead of an animation and while The Jungle Book is far from my favourite, I’m always interested to see what Disney turn out. There is also a Jem and the Holograms movie… but, yeah.

November brings the third (well really fourth) installment of Hunger Games, in the form of Mockingjay (Part 2). Hopefully I will have seen Part 1 by then and will be rushing to the cinema in November to see it. I really enjoy the Hunger Games books/movies so this is one of my top picks for the year. Sadly that’s all that really interests me in November and December isn’t looking much better either. I’m sure plenty of people will be holding out for Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens, but I’m honestly not interested. I’ve said before that I’m not really a Star Wars fan, so this movie doesn’t even rank in my 2015 movies. That said, I’m sure that Chris will want to see it and since I’ve seen all the others, no doubt we’ll be heading to the movies in December to see it.

So these are my picks for the year, what are yours?
What are you looking forward to seeing this year and what will you be giving a miss to?