This is It


Well it's finally arrived. A final bow for the diehard fans. The ones who burst into fits of uncontrollable tears whenever the King of Pop shows his uniquely chiselled face.

If you count yourself amongst that group, perhaps to a lesser extent, then chances are you'll find This is It right up your alley.

Straight off the bat, it should be noted that this is no eulogy, in fact there is no mention of the megastar's untimely death. Instead director Kenny Ortega presents a documentary showing simply what could have been.

It's safe to say that had the shows gone ahead, calling them huge would have been an understatement. Populated by Americas Got Talent-esque youngsters, the show would have involved fireworks, 3D sequences, a Jackson 5 reunion and of course the man himself and all his hits.

Despite saving his voice for the tour, the rehearsal footage proves that Jackson still had what it takes.
However, you get the feeling he occasionally needed to prove himself as the undisputed King of Pop infront of the hoards of younger emerging talent.

In one of the documentaries finest scenes; an impromptu duet betweet Jackson and a young female singer, MJ is forced to remind her who's boss when she verges on out-singing him, done in his own soft spoken way of course. "It's all for love" he keeps reminding us.

There's no denying the tour would have been something special. And for just under two hours you'll forget the negative social baggage and see the talented and focused performer underneath.

You'll be entertained by a great entertainer, which when all is said and done, is what Jackson will forever be remembered for.
This is It is at cinemas now.

Foreign Frights!


Bored of the same old Hollywood horrors? Well here are 5 international gore-fests which offer more than cheap scares and bad acting. So without further ado. . .



If you haven't seen Tomas Alfredson's Let the Right One In, the Swedish vampire film with a twist - then take this Halloween as an opportunity to drop what you're doing and find a copy. Based on a novel of the same name, it follows the unlikely friendship formed between a 12-year-old boy and the young blood sucker who moves into his apartment building. In time they help each other over come their personal problems and form a heart warming relationship - well, as heart warming as any relationship between a child and the un-dead can be. Boasting stellar performances, one kick ass scene towards its climax and no shortage of blood spurting gore, Let the Right One In is the perfect Halloween date movie.

With an abundance of modern horror choice, it's important not to forget the origins of the movie scare. So if you're feeling exceptionally cultured, why not check out the 1922 classic Nosferatu this October 31st. Thomas Hutter gets a bit more than he bargained for when he's sent to Transylvania to meet with Count Orlok. The creepy count, played by the otherwordly Max Schreck, sends chills to this day despite minimal make up effects. The climactic scene of Orlok closing in on his sleeping prey, only to be thwarted by sunrise has become an iconic image of horror cinema.


However, if you're looking for something that packs a bit more punch, then why not check out the unforgiving French film Martyrs, certainly not one for the faint of heart. Making Saw or Hostel look like kids films, director Pascal Languir's tale of a troubled girl seeking revenge quickly shifts gear into something more sinister. Imprisoned and routinely beaten, our antihero Anna is kidnapped by a group who'll stop at nothing to discover what lies beyond death. Stripping away her will to live - and her skin - Anna achieves transcendence, becoming the world's first witness to the afterlife. If you're after a challenging horror film, look no further.

Staying within the vein of horror movies that make you not want to look, yet unable to look away, Austrian director Michael Haneke's Funny Games is definitely worth a mention. Inviting two seemingly polite strangers into their home, George, Anna and son Schorschi soon discover that they want to do more than borrow some eggs. What follows is a series of sadistic games pitting the helpless family against the deranged duo. As the brutality increases, the family's chance of survival decreases, resulting in a pretty bleak outcome. A tough watch, but an interesting exploration of the horror genre's limits.

Quickly given the Hollywood remake treatment, the Spanish thriller [Rec] offers more originality and suspense than its American counterpart Quarantine. As reporter Angela begins coverage of a normal night with the local firemen; things take a turn for the abnormal. Responding to a apartment building disturbance, on arrival they discover an elderly woman infected with a bloodthirsty virus, and several panicky residents. Soon the inhabitants of the building are quarantined and must find a new exit without falling victim to their zombie-like flat mates. Watch in the dark, with the sound up!


Up - Reviewed


There's a reason why every Pixar film is great: their investment in storytelling is second to none. Strip away all the state of the art animation and celebrity voice-overs and you'd still be left with an instant classic. Thankfully, the studios ninth feature Up is no exception.

The beautifully presented opening introduces us to Carl Fredricksen, a budding explorer who falls head over heels for the high spirited Ellie.

After a heartbreaking sequence of love, life and loss we find Carl widowed and alone. Together with his late wife, he had promised to set out on a South American adventure, which regrettably never came to pass.

When the authorities try to boot him into a retirement home, Carl decides to take matters into his own hands. By attaching hundreds of multi-coloured balloons to his humble home, he floats towards adventure.

Joined by an accidental stowaway: Russel, the 8-year-old wilderness explorer, the odd couple set out in search of Paradise Falls. Pretty soon they befriend a talking dog and assist in the rescuing of a rare bird from a deranged explorer.

Pixar have once again mastered the art of balancing a heavily weighted heartfelt story with comedy suitable for the entire family, without alienating anyone.

As always, the animation is a cut above the competition, with every facial tick and line delivery bursting with an uncanny accuracy.

It's also one of the studio's funniest offerings. Knowing when to tickle your funny bone almost as well as it knows how to tug on your heartstrings, Up is the family film of 2009.

Up is now showing in cinemas.

Toy Story 3


Check out the recently released theatrical trailer for 2010's Toy Story 3.

The third installment of the Pixar film that started it all will see Andy all grown up and about to depart to college, leaving Woody, Buzz and all his childhood toy's behind.

Banding together, the now owner-less toys go in search of a place where they will always be played with. However, they get more than they bargained for when they arrive at a day-care centre filled with young children and decide to break out.

Based on the trailer, Toy Story 3 looks to be filled with great jokes and an emotional depth that only Pixar is able to achieve. Michael Keaton will join the plastic cast as Ken, Barbie's bf with self esteem issues from not being as popular as his leggy blonde counterpart.

What do you think?

Zombieland


Welcome to Zombieland! The flesh eating film with a pulse. First time director Ruben Fleischer provides an interesting spin on the walking dead franchise, creating a film that plays out like a modern teen rom-com if the un-dead had overrun the set.

Adventureland's Jessie Eisenberg once again gives Michael Cera a run for his money playing Columbus, a self confessed geek searching the blood strewn States for companionship. Accompanied by his trusty rulebook - a catalogue of survival do's and don'ts that will no doubt be familiar to any Romero fan, he manages to stay alive. It's all about cardio and wearing seat belts.

Pretty soon he runs into the hard-boiled Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), a loner naming people after their home states as to not get too attached. This tough guy with a tragic past comes complete with a talent for Zombie extermination and a bizarre fondness for Twinkies.

Together they go in search of a new home joining forces with Wichita (Superbad's Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Little Miss Sunshine herself Abigale Breslin), two sibling con women who specialize in taking advantage of Zombie apocalypse survivors.

What Zombieland lacks in story it more than makes up for in blood spurting action and R-rated humour. With rulebook excerpts appearing and interacting on screen and a 'Zombie kill of the Week' award up for grabs, at times the film feels more like a computer game.

Combine these features with a celebrity cameo so good it just has to be seen, (attempting to explain wouldn't do it justice) Zombieland is the most enjoyable twist on the genre since Shaun of the Dead.

I love it when a blog comes together.


Check out these images of the brand new A-Team courtesy of comingsoon.net. Click for a better look!



Currently filming in Canada, this 2010 adaptation of The A-Team will be lead by Liam Neeson as Col. John 'Hannibal' Smith. He'll be joined by District 9's Sharlto Copely as Capt. 'Howling Mad' Murdock, The Hangover's Bradley Cooper as Lt Templeton 'Faceman' Peck and fighter turned actor Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson filling the big boots of Sgt. B.A Baracus.

Also making an appearance will be Patrick Wilson as a CIA Operative and Jessica Biel as an Army general chasing the team. Biel will also provide a feminine touch to what was often labeled a testosterone heavy show. The foursome all look the part - keep an eye out for more details appearing in the coming months.

Directed by Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces), The A-Team will be released on the 11th June 2010.