21 Jump Street - an All Of The Above Review

Jonah Hill + Channing Tatum = Hilarious Comedy!

Reboot/sequel of a late eighties -early nighties TV show of the same name. Agents belonging to Jump Street are sent into high schools, undercover, too infiltrate youth crime.  If you was a fan, you will be pleased to hear some of the stars of the show return to Jump street and make great appearances, in this awesome cop comedy. Written by Micheal Bacall (Project X) and Jonah Hill

Schmidt (Hill) and Jenko (Tatum) weren't friend at high school, in fact they were quite the opposite, but after joining the police academy they became as close as brothers, but being a cop isn't all that its cracked up to be. They are put on bicycles and put on park patrol, and after a bad first arrest they are sent to 21 Jump street, with other 'Justin Beaver (not a typo, Mr Bieber really is referred to as Justin Beaver), Miley Cyrus looking mothers' headed by the funniest angry chief of police played by Ice Cube. 

Jonah Hill is, as always, right on point with his comedic performances, and this time paired quite unusually with the hansom Channing Tatum, works so well. They have so much chemistry on screen that you really believe their friendship is real.  And this movie isn't just a comedy, it has some fantastic action scenes, but what else would you expect from the star of G.I. Joe, Haywire and Eagle (Tatum). 

Best cop comedy since Hot Fuzz. This film literally had me laughing out loud, every other minute. All I can say is watch this this movie! 5/5 stars

by Kay M.D

Project X - the greatest party of all time?

With a title like 'Project X' one would imagine a sci-fi film, maybe starring Ferris Beuller's Matthew Boderick and maybe a chimp, but this isn't the eighties, and this isn't that movie.

'Project X' co-written by Matt Drake and Michael Bacall (the writer of the up-coming '21 Jump Street) and directed by Nima Nourizadeh tells the story of three high school seniors who throw a birthday party cool enough to make a name for themselves. But as the party progresses, it quickly gets out of control and incredibly crazy.

Starring Thomas Mann as Thomas the birthday boy, Costa (Oliver Cooper) the foul-mouthed party organiser and JB (Jonathan Daniel Brown) the chubby one and their camera man who is filming everything as it transpires for Thomas's birthday video play the loser kids who don't get invited to parties which means they don't get to touch a booby or two...and that pisses no-one off more than Costa (Cooper). So when Thomas's parents go out of town for a conveniently planned anniversary getaway, Costa decides to organise a party to remember. And how would he do this you ask? By posting Thomas's address all over the internet and social-networking sites...this can only be a good thing right? Guess again, this film goes from party of the year to a summer in Tottenham!

'Project X' is not so much a found-footage film like 'Chronicle' or 'Blair Witch' but more like 'we're throwing a party and we filmed it' type film. The editing is superb and the music is awesome (which is bound to be when partly produced by MTV).

This is one hell of a movie, the acting is great and you really feel emotionally attached with the characters towards the end of the film. Its funny, thrilling and perfectly captures youth culture today and the influence social-networking has on the world.

Rated 18 not because of the drugs, booze or sex but because of how achievable it is to recreate this film well deserves the rating!

5/5 stars
By
George Kleanthous

Stephen Amell cast for Green Arrow TV show

As you can tell from the tittle of this post, Stephen Amell ('Vampire Diaries' and 'Hung') has been cast by CW for their pilot of DC Comics' Green Arrow.

Green Arrow is a wealthy businessmen by day and a bow and arrow wielding vigilante by night and may be most commonly known from 'Smallville' or as I called it for a while: 'The Green Arrow show'.

I for one hope this pilot isn't a flop like the 'Wonder Woman' pilot which found its way on the net last year.

Chronicle: an All Of The Above review

When 3 friends gain powers their lives change forever, and what do they do with their powers? They film themselves throwing baseballs at each others faces.

The first thing to get out of the way is the suggestion that this is a live-action version of the manga 'Akira', it's not, bot it does have seem to be very much inspired by the manga on terms of theme. The idea of "if you got powers what would you do with them?" plays big in this film, asking the ever-so-real question of how far can you go before you go to far?

This is a "found-footage" film, think 'Cloverfield with super-powers' but don't be put off by the idea of dizzying and out-of-focus camera shots, Chronicle's director Josh Trank cleverly uses the characters powers to create some awesome camera shots, expect tracking and panning shots and many interesting camera moves.

The film's camera quality changes very cleverly, as Andrew (the mixed-up teen with the troubled private life) decides to film his awkward life, starting from a beat-down old film camera and as the story and their powers progress, he upgrades to HD!

'Chronicle' is written by Max Landis and is thought through and well written. The dialogue is great and triggers the imagination, I mean who doesn't or hasn't thought about having powers and what you would do with them? Maybe save lives or embarrass the bullies who tormented you through school or at work? This films tells you what happens if you do both.

The acting is also a real treat, starring Dane DeHaan (Andrew), Alex Russell (Matt) and Micheal B.Jordan (Steven). 'Chronicle' host realism, drama, comedy and pure thrill. You really feel that these boys love each other and really have these powers.

The CGI isn't the greatest we've seen but the film is that good that it really doesn't matter!

'Chronicle' is a great start to the years blockbusters and of you fancy a low-budget super-powered film that packs a telepathic punch this is the film to see!

By George Kleanthous

Underworld: Awakening Review

Vampires and werewolves have hit our screens, but not the overly emotional gelled haired teens we all know and hate with every fibre of our beings, no, these characters are darker and aren't afraid of ripping someone's head off their shoulders. I'm of course talking about the 4th installation of 'Underworld' and this time it's in 3D.

The story continues from the second 'Underworld' movie (the third being a prequel to the lot) where Selene (Kate Beckinsale) Awakens in a lab to a world where the Humans have purged most of the Vampire and Lycan clans, Michael, her hybrid lover no where to be seen and a little girl with an interesting past.

The story is a little predictive, except for a few minor twists that get you remembering what actually happened in the last films. The film left me feeling like there was something missing in the story, one would have thought that if the humans were exterminating both clans, the two races would have put there differences aside and joined forces...but maybe that's being set up for the next film as it has clearly been left open for one.

The direction is ok, nothing special, and the cinematography is the same as the others (dark and blue-ish). One thing the film doesn't shy from is it's intense fight scenes, from the beginning it's blood and gore every-where and when you see a certain hybrid split someone's face open from there eye sockets with there thumbs (which is pretty awesome) you know why they've given it a 18 rating.

There are also a host of new characters including a pretty impressive nemesis worthy of any boss-battle in any game you've played, and when you see this thing it'll get you thinking "WTF?".

'Underworld: Awakening's' story isn't as good as the story in the third film, but it makes up for it in awesome fight scenes and cool Vamp/Lycan killing gadgets. It's not a film you have to think with, merely watch and enjoy.

My only real beef with this film is how skinny Kate Beckinsale is in it. You know its bad when your skinnier than a twelve year old! Put some weight on and you'll look a lot sexier!!

3 1/2 - 5 Stars

By George Kleanthous

Expendables 2 to be a 12A...Because Chuck hates swearing

Chuck Norris refused to join the cast of 'Expendables 2' if they didn't clean up the swear words in the script.

Talking to Polish broadcaster Gazeta, Norris claimed that the last film's language was "vulgar" and he didn't do films like that. He then claimed that the producers were going to certify the film a PG-13 which over in the UK would be a 12A.

Now I'm not one to hate on Chuck Norris for this as he seems to be a man who sticks to his morals but did he even watch the last film? If I don't see a round-house kick which knocks a man's head off and send it flying into a group of rebels knocking them off a bridge into a a large meat compactor then I don't know what to expect!

Some may ask who is this Chuck Norris? And why does he have such an impact on this film and the universe itself? Well for those who haven't seen the FACTS here are a few:

Taken From ChuckNorrisfacts.com

• in July, Sharks watch Chuck Norris week.

• Chuck Norris doesn't shave, he uses his beard to sharpen razors.

• Beneath Chuck Norris' beard is another fist.

• Chuck Norris is allowed to draw pictures of Mohammed.

• Nostradamus saw a round-house kick from the future and died.

For more hilariously epic Chuck Facts visit the web site!

By George Kleanthous

War Horse review

Spielberg has not failed to impress with this war-time drama. Based on the book by Michael Morpurgo which then became a play, 'War Horse' is about a young boy named Albert who's beloved horse is sold to the British cavalry and sent to Europe, Albert signs up for the army and goes to war in the hopes that he will see his horse again.

Spielberg manages to take a story about a boy and his horse and turn it into an epic family film. We follow the story of Joey the horse as he is forced to travel Europe during the first world war and meet new characters on his journey, from Albert (Jeremy Irvine) the farm boy to Captain Nicholls (Tom Hoddleston) of the British Cavalry, to two German brothers, a dying French girl and her grandfather back to British soldier (Toby Kebbell).

The cast which also consists of Benedict Cumberpatch (Sherlock tv show) David Thewlis (Harry Potter) and Emily Watson (Cemetery Junction) do a brilliant job.

Spielberg's choice of editing and direction in this film is amazing, the Cavalry charge scene was brilliant yet powerful in its simplicity along with the Windmill night scene which was just as simple yet oh so incredible.

There are some fantastic moments in this film which really pull at the heart-strings and with the help of legendary film composer John Williams, I challenge even the hardest men not to get a little teary-eyed at the climax at No-Man's Land.

The cinematography by Janusz Kaminski ('Shindler's list' and 'Saving Private Ryan') is just beautiful, the mixture of the cold blues and greys of the Somme, to the warm reds and oranges of the final scene really show that cinematography is just as important as its ever been, and Spielberg knows that more than anyone.

There has been a lot of talk about Spielberg losing his touch after 'Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull' and a host of tv shows and films produced by him, but after 'Tin Tin' and now 'War Horse' I think we can all say he is back to doing what he does best.

This film is truly awesome, while it may not be for anyone under 10 it's something for the whole family. One tip is that you may need to take some tissues.

By George Kleanthous

@GeorgeK1988