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Have you been to a good movie lately? Maybe you've shelled out for a shocker? Hit the review button and let us know!
Despicable Me
Reviewed by Isaac, 12
Funny, original, heart-warming and clever. These are the things you want in a animated movie and this is delivered to you in a rollercoaster ride of hilarity in Despicable Me. The plot is simple but still highly original.
Failed super villain Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) plans to steal the moon with his army of funny, violent and cute yellow minions. But to get the shrink-o-ray necessary to shrink the moon and steal it he uses 3 orphan girls to infiltrate an enemies lair and steal the ray gun. Everything is going according to planâ?¦ until Gru remembers he still has to be the dad of his newly adopted daughters.
While presenting itself as a kids film, Despicable Me can be enjoyed by all ages, with jokes and actions aimed at the adult and more mature audience but still with humour that the average 6 year old will still thoroughly.
A great plot, a great cast and a great idea contribute to the pleasure you will encounter during your experience but managing to weave and thread all this into one film is what really makes you enjoy this fine cinematic experience.
When you think of great, funny animated films, then you think of Pixar but Illumination Entertainment has presented film watchers with something that you can watch again and again but still enjoy its originality and comical tale.
This film is up there with greats like the Shawshank Redemption and Schindlers list in its own animated PG way.If you are stuck at home on a rainy day in the school holidays then take your kids out or just yourself to Despicable me for a guaranteed laugh out loud experience.
5/5.
Submitted 23 September 2010, published 27 September 2010
Miss Potter
Reviewed by Katherine Chang, 13
Renee Zellwegger plays the quiet daughter of conventional parents who don't quite know how to respond to a young woman who calls the animals in her paintings her friends. These friends help give her the courage to oppose her parents and conventional society.
Originally taken on by a family-run publisher as a sure-fire failure to keep an inept brother tied up so that he couldn't meddle in anything important, it turns out that the brother (Ewan McGregor as Norman Warne) is just the right partner for Miss Potter, a kindred spirit in every way.
Beatrix and Norman fall in love, sweetly and tenderly. But her parents object, and insist on delay that turns into disaster. Still, Norman's love and the support of his sister, who became Beatrix's lifelong friend, give Beatrix the strength to think about what she really wants. In a lovely scene, she shyly asks a banker whether she might possibly have enough money from book sales to buy a farm. It turns out she has no idea that she has become a wealthy woman due to the popularity of Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, Benjamin Bunny, and her other friends!
Characters
Miss Beatrix Potter - very rich, good and interested in arts. She decided not to marry. Thinks her drawings move (Peter Rabbit), Full of imagination. Likes to tell stories.
Mister Norman Warne interested in Beatrix's drawings, and stories. He helped Beatrix to publish a book. He confessed to Miss Potter at Beatrix's Christmas evening party. Few years later, he died because he was ill.
Strengths: You can enjoy this book if you are interested in Arts, and fiction stories.
Weakness: If you are not interested in vintages, arts, and Children's stories, then you might not like this book.
Final recommendations: I really enjoyed this book; I love her lovely stories about little bunnies, and some other animals. This is a wonderful, enjoyable book to read at night with a cup of tea.
September 2010
Avatar
Reviewed by Brendan Winter
I recently watched James Cameron's new blockbuster movie Avatar, and I can tell you, with a straight face, it was the best movie i've ever seen. The amount of detail in the CGI was so good, it looked totally real, not animated or CG'd at all. it has a brilliantly deatailed plot, which I won't tell you too much (read: at all) about, but I totally recommend it to viewers young, old, or in the middle!
August 2010
Predators
Reviewed by Theo Barnard
A small group of humans are dropped on a distant planet, all are vicious killers. It is revealed they are in a game preserve and they are the game, slowly being hunted by the Predators they must do anything to survive.
The first thing you need to know is this is a sequel to the 1987 Predator which means that this has been done and you’ve seen the monster before so the fear of the unknown is no longer present. Right from the beginning the pace is rushed. Being a horror film you would expect to be scared, but you won’t be.
Very few sequences will get the heart up and the adrenaline going but there are occasional jumps.
The overall plot is stale and predictable while the characters are heavily clichéd including a silent tough guy, a crazy wise-cracking guy and the quiet normal guy who is hiding something. Speaking of the quiet normal guy, Edwin (Topher Grace from That 70’s Show) is probably the only enjoyable character due to scenes where he’s being used as bait leading him to break down, while surrounded by characters that don’t seem to be phased by the situation of being abducted by aliens.
The special effects are nothing to marvel at but the use of physical effects such as masks for the predators was a welcome use of Stan Winston-esque styles. The use of jungle environments is an excellent reuse from the first film as they give the feeling of a wide open space where anything could hide creating fear. Even the kills are dull, being done in every Predator movie before.
Overall the acting is mediocre and clichéd, the effects are the standard fare and the story is predictable though still better than the other sequels.
Who should see it? If you like a bit of fast paced mindless action to pass two hours then this is for you.
August 2010
Shrek Forever After
Reviewed by Caitlin Shaw, 14
the film shrek forever after is not as good as the first 3 shreks because it dosent have all the original characters in it for example king and queen, and you see more of the new characters eg rumple stiltskin more than the main characters and how it just switches to his wish from the baby ogre's birthday which can be confusing. Overall this movie wasnt what i expected it to be.
Shrek in the library catalogue
July 2010
Juno
Reviewed by Arama, 15
Juno written by Diablo Cody is about a teenager who gets pregnant. It is set in a suburban area somewhere in America. The main ideas about this film is when she was gonna abort the child, she changed her mind and decided to adopt the child. what i liked about the film was when the father of her child was running in the marathon. The part i disliked was when the parents adopting the baby wernt so interested in doing it that was the husband. he was sure on being a parent. The end.
June 2010
Camp Rock
Reviewed by Paige Ogilvy, 13
This movie is about a girl called mitchie she is a musical kind of girl who likes to sing and play instruments. She really wants to go to a camp but her parents cant afford it her mum gets a job at the camp so she gets to go :). at the camp which is called camp ROCK mitchie meets joe jonas and in the end they do a duet. This movie i would give a 9 out of 10. it is a cool movie and has heaps of great musical scences cool dancing and really good actors. The best part is the end the FINAL JAM where all the groups some together to perform i like the movie because its funny and it makes me smile and the jonas brothers are on it heheheheh :)
May 2010
The Piano, directed by Jane Campion
Reviewed by Li Ying Jin, 17
The Piano is a beautiful yet peculiar film. The most intriguing aspect of the film is it's strange yet deeply thought provoking plot. Jane Campion creates a story about one woman's struggles to gain control over her own life with the help of her piano. Set in the 1850's where traditional women had little freedom, mute Ada was shipped off to New Zealand (along with her illegitimate daughter, Flora and her piano) for an arranged marriage with Stewart. But as Ada soon falls madly in love with someone else — Baines, she finally finds courage to love and lead her own life.
Compared to the many other dominant themes in The Piano such as love passion and freedom, cultural difference is a small yet crucial aspect of the film. We find small comedies via Stewart's uncomprehending ignorance of not being able to purchase sacred Māori land, and thus bearing witness to the rift between early settlers and locals. What do they want it for... How do they even know it's theirs?
By employing this theme of culture difference, Campion indicates to us the vital difference between Baines and Stewart. Baines, having adopted the Māori style of living, he is free to express his passion and desire; while Stewart, trapped by his conservative European nature, is quite unsure of how to love. When Flora and the Māori children are engaging in simulated sexual play, Steward reacts in outrage, yet Māori onlookers clearly see nothing improper. From this we might assume the Māori as uncultured yet during the Christmas play of Bluebeard, the worried Māori locals rush up the stage to prevent the wife's decapitation.
The scene foretells Stewart's merciless attack on Ada as well as demonstrating to us that Bluebeard's barbaric behaviour is intolerable to the Māori. The strong irony is that even the Māori, portrayed as being uneducated in the European's point of view, still have a very strong sense of right and wrong, unlike the "cultured" and "educated" Stewart who sadistically cut off Ada's finger. Jane Campion paints a story truly worthy of thought as she compels us to wonder who the real savages are.
Submitted July 2009
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Reviewed by Ben Satterthwaite, 13
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is continuing the battle of the evil Decepticons vs. the heroic Autobots. In this movie a lot of new characters are introduced, on both sides of the battle. Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBouf) and Mikayla Banes (Megan Fox) journey around the world in an effort to stop the Decepticons ending human life on Earth. They travel to Egypt, Sam's College, New York, Shanghai and various other locations. There are a lot of twists and suprises in this film and is an edge-of-your-seat performance.
I absolutely loved this movie and it is the BEST FILM I HAVE EVER SEEN. I rate this 5/5 stars because the special effects are astonishing, the acting is great and it is bursting with action. Autobots! Roll out!!!
June 2009
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Reviewed by Selena Zeng, 14
This movie is all that everyone who is anyone is talking about. My brother is a big fan of Transformers and invited me to go along and watch this with him. Fun-filled and action packed, Transformers (Directed by Michael Bay) is one of the best movies I have ever watched. And I mean it. This is a legendary movie and one of the few whose sequel is better than the prequel. Many scenes made me laugh like an elephant (they actually mention the swine flu!) and many made my eyes water. Megan Fox (Mikaela) plays her character perfectly and Shia LaBeouf (Sam) makes his character come to life. A hot cast made the movie perfect. And of course, the visual effects, giant alien robots fighting etc. were some of the best. I loved this movie, rating it 4.5/5 stars and would definitely recommend you to see it!
June 2009
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Reviewed by Mikayla Gale, 14
This movie, is a great movie. It's got amazing special effects and intresting characters and a fun plot. I wouldn't say it's better than the first, but it certainly is a good one. Just a heads up, there's another one coming out 2010. The Dawn Treader. 8/10
June 2009
Twilight
Reviewed by Nicole Allan, 13
This is the best movie since Harry Potter! It has the good and bad guys like harry potter but instead of about wizards it is about vampires! The story lines are similar but different in a way. It is based around the same age group as harry potter. 10/10, 5 stars, xD.
June 2009
Confessions of a shopaholic
Reviewed by Harriet Dishington, 13
This was a really good movie. It had ups and downs that could relate to anyone that loves shopping. When i went into the movie theatre to go and watch it i was thinking that it would be a typical stereotyped movie, but it wasnt. the characters were all different. and if you havent seen it you should get it on DVD :)
June 2009
Star Trek
Reviewed by Julia Howard, 13
I approached Hoyts movie theater with a sense of dread in my stomach. What if somebody I knew saw me? What would they think? I already knew. They would be wondering why a 13-year-old was going to a movie about aliens with her little brother. HELP ME!
After even trying to give away my ticket I was dragged down into one of the front seats and tried not to look like I was paying attention to the opening credits.
Then the title:
STAR TREK
flashed before my eyes and all off a sudden I was hooked. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the screen.
Now I am sitting in front of the computer, trying to but my feelings into words. I have to say it was amazing. The animation was suburb and the actors performed exceptionally.
The old characters stayed the same but everything else changed for the better. The only minus concerning this movie is the fact it follows no plot. However if you cast this slightly unnerving fact aside I can garuntee you an excellent movie you wont forget for a life time.
June 2009
The Lion King 2
Reviewed by Mikayla, 14
This is my favorite movie ever! I personally believe it's way better than the first because its got a good theme and plot you can relate to. The characters are very entertaining and interesting. Watch it again and again, it truly is the best!
May 2009
Madagascar 2
Reviewed by Mikayla, 14
Those who thought that Madagascar 1 was a treat, they'll be in for a big surprise. Madagascar 2, is more exciting than the first. It's got more characters, and well-known actors, like Bernie Mac. The plot is filled with a good adventure and there are even more songs! You'll want to watch this movie over and over again, it truly is a masterpiece! One of Dream Works best! I rate this movie 9/10.
May 2009
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Reviewed by Sophie J, 12
This is such a great movie, so sad and romantic. I've never met someone who doesn't love it or hasn't cried in it.
May 2009
High School Musical 3: Senior Year! by Kenny Ortega
Reviewed by Janie and Alice, 16
Movie was simply brilliant. It was a big step up from movies 1 and 2. It was much more realistic and the choreography and music was outstanding. Definitely a must for anyone - it's not as typically cheesy as the other High School Musicals!
March 2009
Twilight
Reviewed by Soleil, 13
Wow twilight is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
twilight is about a teenager callled bella who doesnt seem to fit in her new high school in dreary old Forks and ends up falling in love with a vampire. this movie is a cross between a love story and a horror.
Twilight is a great movie and isnt soppy and icky I would rate Twilight 20/10.
January 2009
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