Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part One

Its the film I've been waiting for forever. I am a huge Harry Potter fan, and in my opinion the films have gotten better with each one. Especially, i must add, since David Yates started directing them. There's something i really love about the colours of Yates's Potter films. The contrast between all the black and the muted natural colours is really beautiful, and even more so within the intense landscapes that this film is set. Yates transformed the Harry Potter series from lighthearted children's films to dark and epic films for us slightly older ones. He's an absolute genius. Full stop. At the end of the last film i did not think that the films could get any better, but then once i saw the adverts i knew i was going to be in for a treat.I was not disappointed.

Naturally, every scene was styled, acted and shot perfectly. Everything was just as i imagined. If not better. Im pretty sure Voldemort is the coolest bad guy, ever - and his return to power was just too much for me to handle.

In Deathly Hallows, none of the story is set in Hogwarts. Harry, Ron and Hermione take a year out from the school, now run by Snape, to find the remaining Horcruxes. It was almost like I wasn't watching Harry Potter at all - no school, no robes- if it wasn't for the fantastical spells and ever so familiar cast.

Im finding it very hard to describe in words just how much i enjoyed this film. If i were talking to you i would probably articulate myself with a series of noises. Oooooooh's and Aaaaaaaaaagh's! The number of beautiful people, especially Ron, the number of fights, deaths, and revelations. Wow.I only cried once. With happiness, but i came close so many times by the drama and the heartbreak in the story. I have to give kudos the stars in this film for being such amazing actors. Its been an incredible journey up until now, watching them grow and develop and its SO SAD to think that after the release of Part Two, we might never see them work together again. Oh boy.

Ten out of ten. Id give it more if i could, but thats against the rules. Im gonna go see it again on monday so might have some edits to make to this post :) xx

Due Date

Last week, on orange wednesday, Emma and I went to see Due Date. After Todd Phillips' triumph with The Hangover, i was really excited to see this film. Not to mention how excited i was to see Robert Downey Junior :D

I wouldn't say it was THE funniest thing in the world ever but i was highly entertained and had a laugh! The script was very well written and Zach Galifianakis was hilarious, as always! I really enjoyed the story, the crazy things that went on- Although i do think that it was a bit of a remake of the John Hughes classic, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, but a bit more try hard. Overall i give Due Date a 7/10, for sheer entertainment :D xx

A single man

A Single Man, directed by designer Tom Ford was one of, if not, the most stylish film i have seen in a long time. Every shot was so well composed and the use of colour was incredible. It really blew me away how gorgeous the film looked, you can tell the director knows what looks good and what doesn't. I couldn't contain my excitement at how beautiful the film was and on top of that, all the beautiful clothes and beautiful people in it. Colin Firth, as ever, was brilliant. I connected with him straight away and was completely heart broken by his story :( And saw another side again to Nicholas Hoult which showed that he's not just a pretty face.

This film was beautiful and devastating. 10/10. Without question.

Mr Nice

Last week with Slackers club, three days before general release we were given the privilege to go and see "Mr Nice". The film is a screen adaptation of Howard Mark's novel of the same name, about his life and career. Before seeing the film, i knew nothing about the man, but after watching it was so intrigued by him that i have watched a number of interviews and documentaries and was even lucky enough to see him do a talk/stand up on friday night here in Edinburgh.

The story of Mr Nice follows him through from his Oxford years, to the years he spent in prison after being the biggest drug smuggler of all time, as well as a government spy and best friends with a member of the IRA. The film was intriguing, hilarious, and also had its heartbreaking moments. It was really well shot and i loved the use of stock footage and green screen, genius! Rhys Ifans, as always was amazing. He was so cool and genuine and could tell he was enjoying playing the part. David Thewlis too was incredible, barely recognizable, ROTFL funny, and totally convincing. Chloe Sevigny looked gorgeous in the part also and it made me want to be her even badly.

Definately, 10/10 :) xx

The Illusionist

Finally went to see "The Illusionist". It was amazing, and more than lived up to my high expectations. The illustration and animation were incredible. I was just like oooh and aaah the whole way through. It was actually really funny but also really sad and moving. The characters in it are french, but to our surprise the film was mainly set in Edinburgh which made it even better! And, to add to that, the very cinema we were sat in was featured in the film which was pretty cool :D haha. Couldn't stop thinking about owning it on DVD so i could really study it more. Felt genuinely inspired and uplifted after seeing it. It was a refreshing change and i really loved it. Hope i make films like this one day! I give it a definate 10/10, voila! Parfait! x

Winters Bone (2010)

Its been ages since my last film blog update, but i figured since i've started studying film now at university it would be a good time to start again :)!

Last night, after the unfortunate selling out of french animation, "The Illusionist", i went to see "Winters Bone", based on the novel of the same title by Daniel Woodrell.

The film follows a teenage girl and her struggle to raise her younger siblings and ill mother after her fathers dissaperance. When the ownership of her house comes under threat, she tries to find her father, but the people in her town aint the nicest people and she ends up in a lot more trouble than she thought.

Personally, i thought the film was a little slow and depressing. There wasn't alot of dialogue, or action, but i guess that only portrayed the girls life more realistically. Visually, the film was beautiful and really inspiring. The colours were a muted colour palette, and the shots were directed perfectly.

Overall i think i give this film 6/10. Id recommend seeing it, and wouldnt pass up a second viewing if i spotted it on tv :)

500 days of summer

Went to see this when it was first released in cinemas, and went straight out and bought it when it came out on DVD last week. 500 days of summer is a quirky offbeat rom-com and i love it. the casting, and the soundtrack are amazing. I've already watched it twice this week and its only thursday.