I was lucky enough to enjoy a sneak preview of A Royal Night Out last week. I was really, really excited, I'd watched the trailer and it looked right up my alley. And it was right up my alley. And my street. My boulevard. My avenue. It was right up there. Based on the true story of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret being allowed to go out into public on 8th May 1945, VE Day, it's embellished, to great effect. Imagine this, six years of horrific war, food rations, bombing, general gloom and doom. And the two princesses concoct a fantastical ruse to convince their father (King George VI, played by Rupert Everett) to allow them out to hear how the public responds to his victory speech.
It works and they are allowed out, incognito - to dance at the Ritz with a strict curfew to be home by 1am. Princess Margaret (played by Bel Powley), quipped with all the best lines, is wide-eyed and hilarious; Princess Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) is considered, incredibly beautiful and navigating her world as an ordinary young woman in the midst of huge on-street celebrations. They jump from the Ritz, to It's fun. Innocent fun. It's such a fun movie, nostalgic and lovely I came out positively buzzing darlings! It's feel good, fanciful film that was so right for me to escape into. My rating? See it! It's light-hearted, whimsical, and an adventure on another scale. Plus it's funny! I give it three and a half stars. A Royal Night Out - in cinemas from May 14.
Last night Matt and I got the rare opportunity for date night. These are rare as hen's molars. Seriously. So when my Mum offered to babysit, we swung into action. But I have to confess, when I was first invited to see Taken 3, I was a little dubious. Don't get me wrong, I loved Taken - oh the stress! On the edge of my seat, scared, worried, my goodness, it really kept me glued. This time set in France, daughter gets kidnapped on a trip with her BFF, CIA operative Dad flies to her rescue. But not without a whole lot of twists and trouble. Taken 2 - Liam really has bad luck - and again, it was quality viewing. Set in Istanbul, it was a snapshot into the unknown, and those action scenes - yowsers! But a third go at Taken? Really? REALLY! Go see it. It's awesome. I think Matt still has grip marks on his arm where I was squeezing him so hard. This time set in the US, starring Forest Whitaker, the story takes an unexpected twist and is as riveting as ever. But I'm not giving the storyline away. Co-written by Luc Besson (director of The Professional), reigning king of who yet again creates a totally watch-able, action-packed, beautifully executed, crazy, amazing film that stands on its own in the Taken franchise. He has your heart pounding, your brain racing, and you'll be sitting on the edge of your seat.
And then there's Liam Neeson. Ahhhh Liam. Supremely watch-able, he kicks some serious ass as Bryan Mills. There's no denying that he's good. But he's not just good. He's ace. I totally recommend seeing Taken 3. You'll like it if you like: any of the Taken films. Liam Neeson. Luc Besson. Ass-kicking action. Fight scenes in y-fronts. Taken 3 - opens in cinemas Thursday 8th January.
Have you been to the movies these holidays? We went to watch Paddington today - we got there early to avoid the crowds. We got there at 8:47am. The cinema wasn't even open, and the movie didn't start until 9:40am. Oops. But the film was brilliant. Beforehand we had had a family vote on which movie to go to. 75% of our family wanted to see Paddington. 100% loved it. Not bad stats, right? It's delightful, it's fun, it's funny, and Ben Whishaw (of Bright Star fame - another of my favourite all-time films) voices the bear himself. Nicole Kidman is fabulous as the villain. Sally Hawkins plays the part of a warm mum. Jim Broadbent is kooky as ever. From darkest Peru to the hustle of London, Paddington finds a new home and a new family amidst a huge adventure. And the underlying story? It's the story of a bear misplaced, who struggles to fit in to his new found home. Seriously great fun for the whole family. Not sponsored. Just 100% dug this movie and I think you will too. Go see it for yourself. GO!
I used to spend a lot of spare time at the movies. In particular I loved going to the cinema by myself. No one to interrupt. No one to rustle chip packets. No one sobbing uncontrollably asking for some tissues.
If I owned my own cinema I would have a number of rules to ensure it was a good experience for all movie-goers:
1. No noisy packets of anything 2. No crunchy food (particularly not consumed by those who like to eat with their mouths open) 3. No slurpy beverages 4. No canoodling 5. No mid-movie conversations 6. No tall people sitting in front of short people 7. No people sitting too close to one another 8. Extra arm rests so there's no awkward tussle over who gets to rest their elbows 9. No one with hacking coughs, incessant sneezing or sniffles (these people would be confined to the 'Cone of Silence' - see rule 11b) 10. No one dressed in anything that smells like moth balls 11a. No one to move seats once the movie has started (this includes movie trailers) 11b. Anyone who wishes to 'talk storylines' mid-movie must be confined to the cone of silence which is a sound-proof room with minimal seating
These days, I'm bringing the cinema-at-home back. I'm not talking flat screens. Heck no.
I'm telling you, I am well versed in DVDs. I love a good DVD.
And Burn After Reading. A Coen Brothers film, Brad Pitt looks ridiculously silly with a slimey, sweaty mo. George Clooney is just plain silly. And funny. Have I ever told you how much I love Frances McDormand?
