Star Trek Into Darkness Review

This is a film that I have been looking forward to for 4 years. Ever since the first JJ Abrams Star Trek was released in 2009 I was really looking forward to the sequel and I'm a bit surprised that it took this long for the sequel. After watching it, I can see why it took 4 years, they wanted to make this sequel as good as possible and it works. Star Trek Into Darkness is a blast. Now this review will be spoiler free as I don't want to give away the film unlike some other websites (looking at you iMDB) so rest assured, the major plot points in this film will be unspoiled.

The World's End Trailer

When I was thinking about my most anticipated films for 2013, the only film that I could think of that could possibly go at number one was the final part of the Three Colour's Cornetto Trilogy: The World's End. Now, the first trailer for the film has been released and it looks like my anticipation has been worth it.

RIP Ray Harryhausen

Today, one of the people who had the most long lasting effects on the film industry, Ray Harryhausen has passed away. The work Harryhausen did to pioneer stop-motion animation has entered the iconography of our culture in a way that no other special effects artist has managed and his work will be seen by generations to come. A few years ago, I went to see an exhibit dedicated to Harryhausen at the London Film Museum and I was amazed by the incredible levels of detail that he put into all of his models and seeing those models up close is just awe inspiring. After the jump are a few scenes to highlight his incredible career. Ray Harryhausen: you shall be missed.

2,500 Tons of Awesome

I think that's a pretty accurate description of Pacific Rim.

Iron Man 3 Review

After watching Avengers Assemble last year, one of my thoughts coming out of the film was wondering how Marvel would be able to top itself and with Iron Man 3 they had the perfect answer. Strip Iron Man to the bare bones and get Shane Black to direct. And you know what? It really works and Iron Man 3 is a great follow up to Avengers Assemble and a great start for Phase 2 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Double Dose of Shakespeare

This year, there are going to be 2 highly hyped, major event adaptations of Shakespeare plays. Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing and Carlo Carlei/Julian Fellowes' Romeo and Juliet. Now that the trailer for Romeo and Juliet has been released, I feel like I should give my thoughts on the trailers for both films, starting off with Much Ado About Nothing.

RIP Roger Ebert

Today, after a long battle with cancer, Roger Ebert, arguably the most important and influential film critic to have ever lived has died. Speaking from the UK, I have very little direct experience of Ebert but through reading his reviews online and watching old Siskel and Ebert clips on YouTube you see a man who adored films in every way, shape and form and not even having the bottom of his jaw removed would prevent him from sharing his film knowledge with the world. After the jump are a few of my personal favourite Ebert reviews on Siskel and Ebert along with an excellent tribute to him done by Doug 'Nostalgia Critic' Walker.

Roger Ebert: you shall be missed.

Trance Review

Now this is a hard one. This is one of the films that comes along every once in a while where it's really hard for me to review. I'm getting ahead of myself though. I think it's best to start off with my thoughts on Danny Boyle and, of course, I think he's brilliant. Trainspotting, Sunshine and Slumdog Millionaire are my personal favourites but you can't really go wrong with any of his work and since the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, Boyle became one of the most important cultural icons of British history. His new film Trance is about as far away from the immense patriotism of the Olympic Opening Ceremony as possible, and it feels like he is having fun directing something again. Again, this is a hard film to review so there may be spoilers so I recommend watching Trance before reading my review.

Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa Trailer

Whenever a comedy TV show from the UK gets adapted for a film one of two things happens. It can either be regarded as a comedy classic (see In The Loop) or an absolute disaster which could be regarded as one of the worst films ever made (see Keith Lemon: The Film). The next character to make the leap to the big screen is Steve Coogan's Alan Partridge, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Kick-Ass 2 Trailer

For a long time now I've been really looking forward to seeing Kick-Ass 2. Everything looked to be falling into place, the main cast members were back, Matthew Vaughn was still going to be involved (even if it wasn't as director) and the new cast members added looked really interesting. Now the first trailer has been released and it looks like my anticipation was justified.