What I Have Been Watching...

TAKE SHELTER

Well you know this is going to be good before you have even seen it because it's starring (oh so hot right now) Jessica Chastain (The Tree of Life, The Help) & Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire).Take Shelter tells the story of happily married, Curits & Samantha bringing up their deaf daughter. Things start to become a little dysfunctional when Curtis starts having these nightmares that feel so vivid, he believes they'll come true.

Take Shelter takes natural disaster movies to a new level looking at how mental illness can so suddenly impact someone's life and the lives around them. The performances are gripping & moving and the ending will leave you thinking for hours.

Trust me, this one is not to be missed.

Rating: 4.5/5

THE IDES OF MARCH

I have heard a lot of mixed reviews about this one which made me a little weary about seeing it, but my overall reaction was that it was superrrr. Seriously, Ryan Gosling (I know I have already bragged about him before) is a ridiculously good looking guy/actor. Not only that, this film also stars acting genius Philip Seymour Hoffman as well as George Clooney, Evan Rachel Wood (ehhh never been a fan of hers though) and Paul Giamatti. If you're into political thrillers or just enjoy staring at Ryan Gosling's babe'n face, then check this one out!

Rating: 3.5/5

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

You gotta love Woody Allen doing his classic comedic style/praising a city from the point of view of the lead character. Woody has had his occasional flops in recent years but it seems he occasionally pulls out some really spectacular films i.e. Vicky Cristina Barcelona. He's stepping out of his beloved New York and appreciating some of Europe; Barcelona and now Paris. We also have the upcoming To Rome With Love to look forward to.

What I love about Midnight in Paris is the stepping back in time to the 1920s to meet such literary greats as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scot Fitzgerald, T.S. Eliot and even artist; Pablo Picasso!

Owen Wilson is perfect as the aspiring author lost and in love with the great city of Paris. This film is quirky and truly Woody Allen. It's good to see him getting in touch with his original style but giving it a new breath of life.

Rating: 4/5

THE HELP

This is one of those feel-good films that makes you want to go tell everyone about it.

Set in 1960s Southern-America, The Help tells the story of an Skeeter (Stone) a young graduate/aspiring author who decides to write a book in secret from the point-of-view of the Help. This film shows many different characters points-of-view of the Help during this time. It can be quite shocking in parts to see how African-American's were treated during 1960s America; the fact that it is unacceptable that they use the same bathroom facilities as the white people is ridiculous and appalling.

Aside from this, The Help has it's occasional humorous moments and is all over a well done film. I watched this with my mum & dad who are occasionally pessimistic and critical about modern cinema, but they were both very impressed.

Rating: 4.5/5

SUBMARINE

I saw this film ages ago and have watched it at least three times since. Why you ask? For so many reasons! It's adorable, has an amazing soundtrack done by Alex Turner (from Arctic Monkeys), so many quirky moments, awesome actors, it's directed by Richard Ayoade (from The I.T. Crowd) and so on.

This is one of those perfectly done indie-teen flicks but just a million times better.

I could go on and on but 'the proof's in the pudding.' Definitely check it out!

Rating: 4.5/5