The Beaver

Walter Black is very very VERY depressed. Heir to a crumbling toy manufacturer - Jerry Co (get it?), Walter does nothing but sleep and mope. So when he is chucked out by his weathered and exhausted wife, Walter is driven to the edge. After finding a curious beaver puppet in a store dumpster, Walter gets drunk and tries to kill himself. Suddenly, ‘the Beaver’ begins to talk, and before long this little brown muppet becomes Walter’s inner voice, his one and only shot at recovery.

Super 8

JJ Abrams is a self styled Spielberg of modern cinema. The man behind Lost, Star Trek 2009, Fringe and Cloverfield - it makes perfect sense that he would eventually come to notice of "the beard" himself. Super 8 sees director Abrams team with producer Spielberg in an effort to create a film which, on the surface, looks like something young Spielberg would have made back in the day. However, Super 8 ends up being more like The Iron Giant meets the Wonder Years, as opposed to what it "thinks" it is - The Goonies meets E.T. 

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

James Franco is a funny old character. From lopping his arm off in a canyon to sleeping his way through the Oscars, this 30-something Californian born actor can never be accused of pigeon holing his carer. So it comes as no real surprise to see him playing the lead role in a film that, in all honesty, no one really wanted to see made. But before the barrage of ape puns begin, let me just say, Rise of the Planet of the Apes wins two awards - longest title of the year so far, and most surprisingly coherent instalment of a dead franchise.

Cowboys & Aliens

Jon Favreau is proving to be quite an asset in the cannon of actors turned director. His last five films have been mostly airing on the impressive and, more to the fact, uncontrollably enjoyable. I say mostly, because Zathura was like a sideways kick in the Gulliver. His latest outing, Cowboys and Aliens pulls on all the lessons learnt from his recent catalogue of filmage wonder and produces something quite grown up.

Captain America

‘O! Say can you see by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming…’ Captain America is here! Oh yes! He might not pack the punch of the Hulk, or the charm of Iron Man, or even the luscious locks of Thor. In fact, he doesn’t even possess a cool outfit. So what does he possess? Sickening amounts of patriotism…and a bullet proof shield. So why do we care? Well, we don’t really, but The Avengers is coming out next year so it’s important to see the origins of Nick Fury’s soon to be newest employee.

The Rebound

For approximately 92 mins I was able to tolerate and even enjoy this film.

The Lincoln Lawyer

Over the last few months our lovefilm account has thrown up a few surprises.

Priest

Any film with Priest in the title is sure to include some sort of religious content and this films no different, although it's certainly no documentary on the life of a catholic Priest (That might be banned given most of the reported extra curricular activities they get up to!!)
Priest is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller, is set in an alternate world -- one ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampires. The story revolves around a legendary Warrior Priest (Bettany) from the last Vampire War who now lives in obscurity among the other downtrodden human inhabitants in walled-in dystopian (Big word alert!)cities ruled by the Church. When his niece is abducted by a murderous pack of vampires and Karl Urban, their leader,  Priest breaks his sacred vows to venture out on a quest to find her before they turn her into one of them. He is joined on his crusade by his niece's boyfriend (Cam Gigandet), a trigger-fingered young wasteland sheriff, and a former Warrior Priestess ( Maggie Q, who's strangely hot in this!)who possesses otherworldly fighting skills.
Again, another one straight up your alley as it's adapted from the comic book series that originated in Korea of all places.
Good effects, the actings not that bad, the story is a little weak...ok very weak, but it moves along at a good pace and has a satisfying finish. As this was adapted from a comic book series they have left it wide open for a follow up and I guess if this make enough money regardless of critcal acclaim, thats what they will do.

7/10

Harry Potter and the deathly Hallows PT 2

Where do I start, it's Harry Potter so you already know what your getting with this.
It's actually a good film, pretty dark and moody in places but a great end to the Harry Potter series. it has everything you'd expect as well, I spoil it but the action is there, the big final battle is there and the ending, whilst a little uncomfortable with the rest of the film, closes the series well.
I think you'd enjoy this one, Daniel Radcliffe's pretty good as Harry and the fellow ginger, Rupert Grint is great as Ron and finally gets to kiss the girl.
I'd rate it a good watch and a solid 6/10

Anyone else have any views.

Whats coming up..

I've see Harry Potter 7 (Deahtly Hollow's Pt 2) , so a review is coming shortly along with reviews on Priest and the X-Men prequal.
Stay tuned.

Shooting Fish in a barrel.....

I watched 'Catfish' lastnight. It was very good and I think you'll enjoy it. Basically it's the story of the relationship between a young guy and 3 women he meets over facebook. It gets interesting when he decides to check were they will and visit her..
Think you'd really like it, I know Aaron's seen it as well.

Teasers and preview trailers seem to be the new big thing....

2 teaser trailers for you to watch today...The Dark Knight Rises and the New Amazing Spiderman.Both look pretty good.

The Dark Knight Rises

The Amazing Spiderman

Transformers 3

Watching this film was awkward, and not just because Chris kept trying to hold my hand.

Source Code

Also on the screen this weekend was 'Source Code'...my other halfs intial comments were that it's a bit like 'Quantum Leap', my view was a little different.
In Short Jake Gyllenhaal is a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. It's a action thriller that takes a bit of time to get going but ultimately ends up being a enjoying, likeable film in which you can identify with Colter Stevens (Gyllenhaal's character) with an interesting ending that might make you think the film for more than 5 minutes after it's finished.

7/10 

Easy A

Watched Easy A this weekend, great film starring Emma Stone.
Worth a watch for it's interesting take on school life and how reputation are created, referencing the book 'The Scarlet letter'....All in all a good film, easy to watch, with some funny moments.
Worth a least 7/10.

Welcome to What Michael Missed.

Welcome along...i've started this blog for my brother in law, Michael ( See photo) who's away from home for 2 years. This blog is to make a record of the new films, new music albums, shows, night out's and day's out that Michael will miss whilst away.