Don’t you just hate ‘Rom Coms’??? Euw, in fact the very mention of this totally cringe-worthy name gives me an instant bout of the shudders! I enjoy movies from just about any genre or era, yet I simply cannot be doing with these. I also hate the way that most of today’s romantic comedies seem to star flipping Hugh Grant!!!!!

Maybe I’m just old fashioned, but I happen to think that ‘love’ is a serious business and it should be kept that way!

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Of course, digital effects are loved by the audiences, simply because for them it’s a new experience altogether. It enhances the look and feel of the movie and packages it in a lucrative form. But then the conventional filmmakers say that use of digital effects is like giving a cosmetic surgery to someone. In other words, they feel that those who make very basic or bad quality movies hide their shortcomings by adding digital effects and taking away the audience’s attention to those effects.

In the last few years, we have seen movies being made with a lot of technological as well as creative advancements. Already good-looking films have been made to look better with the help of basic digital effects, while some films have been developed plainly keeping in mind that a lot of digital effects will be used in them later on. In fact, stories revolving around genres of sci-fi, fantasy and horror depend a lot on digital effects, because a lot of elements can only be created that way. For instance, real animals cannot be harmed, and actual houses can’t be burnt down, so digital effects need to be used to make these things happen in a movie, because the story or the plot demands so. So to say that the use of digital effects is bad, would be wrong, But to use them at a place where things can actually work well without them, or where they are not needed, is definitely wrong. It won’t be a good idea to use digital effects on a movie that demands natural grandeur and charm. It is basically up to the filmmaker how he manages to create the right look and feel within the given budget, without spoiling or overdoing things.

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We’ve all been there; stuck watching a movie that is so unbearably awful or interminably dull that we find ourselves seriously considering making the ultimate cinema statement; walking out. I’ve only ever walked out of one film in my whole life, but that does not mean that I’ve only seen one bad movie. Far from it, unfortunately. It was a combination of factors that lead to me to abandon my seat for “Scary Movie 4” in favour of something that wasn’t as dull as a documentary on white diesel suppliers - bad acting, bad script, obnoxious fellow patrons and, most importantly of all, I hadn’t actually paid for the ticket.

Walking out of a movie is a big thing to do. Let’s face it, we’ve all seen people do it and you inevitably end up discussing their exit more than the film itself during the post-screening glass of wine. Sometimes I’ve seen people walk out of films that I think are brilliant – the only explanation being that they find the material in some way offensive. Bearing in mind my love of hyper-violent Asian thrillers and French movies where the protagonists are naked more often than they wear clothes, that’s probably not that surprising.

However, I was stunned recently when a few people walked out of a busy screening of “The Artist” a couple of weeks ago. OK, it was before the Oscars success, but did these people not realise they were going to see a black and white, silent film; was that why they were outraged enough to leave a piece of cinematic genius after just ten minutes? If so, they must have been living under a rock for the last few months – as well as having a serious good taste deficiency. If it was up to me, people who repeatedly walk out of good movies, disrupting the experience for everyone else, should be banned from the cinema altogether.

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The start of a new year means only one thing for film buffs like myself; awards season! Whether you love watching the ceremonies for the red carpet fashion, the presenter’s corny jokes or even to find out which movies will take away the prize, there is nothing better than sitting up half the night watching the live broadcast of the Golden Globes or, of course, the Oscars direct from Hollywood.

When I was a student, our local arthouse cinema used to throw their own Oscar party every year, which was great fun. Film lovers from all over the city would gather together, watch a couple of the hotly-tipped movies from that year, before settling down in the bar to watch the ceremony on one of the big screens. They had a special licence to keep the bar open all night, which inevitably lead to some very bad hangovers the next day, but it was all worth it to be part of such a brilliant event. Even knowing I had a fuel management tutorial at 9am, just as the broadcast was finishing, couldn’t ruin my enjoyment!

My favourite year was when Titanic swept the board, Cameron and Co. may have been the toast of the town in Hollywood but there was quite a backlash in that little cinema, with every new Oscar being greeted with a chorus of boos. I don’t think I can remember a more unpopular film that won quite so many of those prestigious golden statuettes! I still throw my own Oscars party in my house every year, but it’s usually a much smaller event, often only attended by two people; me and my dog! We still have a great time and as long as we stay off the booze we both make our 9am walk on the beach, though with less than our usual energy levels…

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It is that time of year again, it comes round so fast, but year after year, you can always count of the Christmas romantic comedy movie. Just like Valentines day an all star cast movie is released to audiences, normally at family friendly ratings and brimming with storylines to leave you feeling all warm inside and in spirit of the relevant holiday.

This year is of course no different and this year the film New Years Eve, chock-full of a list actors and actresses is the tipped to be the movie of the season.

New Years Eve stars amongst many, the new Two and a Half Men star and recent divorcee, Ashton Kutcher who is joined by Glee cast member Lea Michelle. Lea plays one of the female lead roles who lives in the same building as Kutcher and their friendship starts whilst being stuck in a lift together on New Years Eve. In this vain the film essentially details the lives of a number of couples and singles that intertwine during this special last night of the year.

New Years Eve boasts an impressive number of Hollywood stars, from the legendary Robert De Niro to teen favourite Zac Efron, former Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Biel, Katherine Heigl, Hilary Swank and Michelle Pfeiffer to name but a few. So this holiday season teer yourself away from your executive office furniture, and take a trip with your loved one or friends to see this must see Christmas movie that is set to far from disappoint.

If romantic comedies are not your thing, fear not, there are also a number of other notable movies being released during the run up to the holiday season. Arthur Christmas, a family friendly animated film, Sherlock Holmes: A game of shadows starring Robert Downey Jr, and We bought a Zoo are all worth checking out too.

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The grime-house era of cinema was wild; there was nothing contained or decent about it. Much like when pornography exploded, grime-house cinema was all about exploitation. Anything went, the more violent and subversive the better. During this time, no subject was safe, from domestic abuse to rape and murder.

One film born during that time was Hobo With A Shotgun – a disaster-fest of a movie which featured a hobo – or street person – taking revenge on a small town over-run by corruption. On paper it sounds like a half-decent movie idea, but sadly that is where it ends. Because once the film gets going – and this remake is just as vile as the original in terms of blood and guts and pointless mayhem – it really doesn’t stop until the end credits. That might be considered a good thing by some, but it certainly won’t be getting any extra points from this movie reviewer.

In fact, it’ll be very lucky if it gets any points at all.

here, really, is a film which should never have been made…

As with all grime-house films and video nasties, one thing this movie does do and do well is shock. Every aspect of it shocks – from the obscene murderous nature of the first few minutes to the terrible dialogue which doesn’t even deserve mention here – and if that’s what you’re after then this is the film for you. What Hobo is is a near-perfect remake of a terrible film. Sort of a back-handed compliment, really, but once you see it you’ll know what I mean.

If there are any points to be awarded at all – and I can’t believe I just said that – then they are to be awarded to this film for its sheer audacity. After all here, really, is a film which should never have been made in the first place. In that respect, I suppose you could say it’s a ballsy number (and Gavin from hr software from octopus certainly seems to think so…he really won’t stop going on about it…).

Here are a few other things which Hobo just about pulls off.

1) Putting Rutger Hauer in a lead role despite his age and looks. They’re hardly as bold as they once were. Quite an achievement.

2) Some fairly unique blood and guts based comic moments, the likes of which you will struggle to find in any other film, video nasty or otherwise.

3) Non-stop action. And I do mean NON-STOP!

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The opening of the film is introduced by Geoffrey Rush’s instantly recognisable tones as he does a bit of exposition on what on earth (or should that be space?) the Green Lantern core is. Basically the film revolves around our hero Hal Jordan (played very earnestly by Ryan Reynolds) inheriting a magic ring from a dying alien. This ring gives Jordan the power to control his will into anything he imagines – I would definitely have fun with that. Battles with an evil alien entity ensue and there is a disturbing moment when it looks like Jordan is beating up Stephen Hawking in the latter part of the film.

There is the now familiar glare of product placement encroaching on some of the audience’s senses as adverts for best worldwide sim card and cell phones pop up every now and then. It’s not as bad as in Bond films, but it is enough to make you sit up and drift away from the plot every now and then.

Green Lantern is designed for the under twelve crowd. It makes no apologies for that and for that reason it shouldn’t be completely derided by the critics. Reviews posted on IMDB seem to seesaw from one end of the scale to the other which is fairly accurate. This is a story written by big kids for kids (and other big kids). Go in knowing that, and you’ll have a blast. Go in expecting a modern masterpiece and you will be sadly disappointed.

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Are you fond of cars? What about really fast cars? What about chase scenes? Explosives? Drama? If you are, then you will love the movie Fast Five, the fifth movie in the Fast and Furious series.

The movie goes from one action scene to another action scene. The plot of the movie this time is about our heroes taking down the largest crime lord in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Also there is an US special agent played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson hot on their trail.

Fast five also has moments where you really can connect with the characters. Paul Walker and Vin Diesel both have characters that provide action and drama. Almost everyone that had been in the previous films are brought in. Diesel and Walker are central to the entire film and their chemistry as actors is what makes the franchise work. Jordina Brewster also makes a solid appearance in this film adding to the drama, she plays as Diesel’s sister and Walker’s girlfriend.

The real stars of the movie are of course the cars. From the beginning of the film until the end cars are involved in races and chases. The Fast and Furious movies have never pretended to be anything else but movies about fast cars and action. There is plenty of action involving Diesel and Johnson though I think they both could use a fue hair transplant.

This may be the last of the Fast and Furious movies, although after the credits it appears that there might be another movie in the works. That would be an excellent idea; who wouldn’t want to go for another ride with these guys?

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I think there are two qualities about these films which appeal to me –

1 – They are genuinely clever and a huge amount of thought has gone into the story.

2 – You get to see some of the world’s most annoying teenagers ‘buying it’in all manner of gruesome ways!

Most of the time, ‘sequelling’a film to death is really not a good idea. This has been proven time and timeagain (literally); ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’, ‘Friday the 13^th’, ‘Jaws’… so many good movies have been smothered to death by inferior follow-ups. However, in this way, the ‘Final Destination’movies are different. Okay, so it may essentially be the same storyline each time (being stalked by Death/trying to cheat Death), yet each instalment is still a great deal of fun!

Characters in a ‘Final Destination’story are never safe because Death can be lurking anywhere… this malevolent force has a habit of hiding in the strangest of places; microwaves, sunbeds, barbeques or spaghetti. There is no such thing as ‘a safe place to go’whilst any inanimate object could prove to be deadly… even wedding cakes or plant pots could be a part of Death’s plan!

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The fact that out-of-body experience are true to life help evade any reason to label the film as mere ‘fantasy’, but rather a wholly exaggerated version of a real psychological state. The dramatic scenes where ugly vampire-like characters and penetrating screams suddenly appear out of nowhere are sue to make many people jump. However, it is fascinating to explore the journey of Dalton’s parents in their quest to bring him out of his unexplained coma, a journey that becomes more and more intense as the film progresses.

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