THE COMPANY YOU KEEP - film

Went into this one knowing nothing at all about the film. (Hello, last minute freebie!)

It started out well and I was really enjoying it but it did start to drag and by the end it felt like it had gone for four hours! (It actually went for two.)

Robert Redford is the leading man in the film and while he's undeniably an excellent actor, it's absurd to me that he was cast, at the age of 77, as the father of an 11 year old girl. It just didn't work. But guess who the director of the film is, the person who made this silly choice?... Robert Redford. Yes, the man couldn't help but give himself the lead role. 

That aside, this is an interesting thriller of sorts with all sorts of underlying mysteries playing out as it goes along. (Plot summary here.) Susan Sarandon and Brendan Gleeson are great in the film which also stars Shia LaBoeuf (or Shia The Beef as I prefer to call him) and Nick Nolte whose voice is as weird as ever.

Margaret and David from The Movie Show both gave this four stars (it's always nice when mum and dad don't fight) but it wasn't quite up there for me, more like three or three and a half.

If you are lucky to be a regular cinema-goer, check this one out but if it's a rare outing, I can recommend better flicks for your night out.

Trailer here.

THE HANGOVER PART III - film

If you saw and enjoyed the first two films, you'll enjoy this. Some really implausible plot twists but this is Hollywood, what's new?

It's good fun and plenty of laughs, mostly from Zach Galifianakis as hopeless Alan and Ken Jeong as crazy drug-addled Mr Chow. Also stars Bradley Cooper looking pretty damn hot... what can I say, I call it as I see it.

Important note: Stay for the credits!

Trailer here.

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES - film

Really enjoyed this one. Caught wind of it when I saw two film critics talking about it on Twitter, saying that they were surprised it wasn't released in 'awards season', meaning they thought it would've been in the running for Oscars, Golden Globes etc. High praise! Apart from an absolute clanger of a coincidence that the plot hangs on, the story is excellent.

The film stars Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes and Bradley Cooper & regular readers of this blog will know I'm very fond of the latter! He's great in this. The whole cast is actually with, for me, the exception of the young bloke who plays Cooper's son. Really wished they chosen someone with a remote resemblance, it just didn't quite work for me and others who I know who've seen it agree.

More of an art house one so look out at Nova, Palace and those kind of joints. Worth the trip.

Trailer here.

THE BIG WEDDING - film

Great cast that could never quite lift this out of firm *meh* territory.

I was the only one in the cinema and like everyone else seems to be, I'd say give this one a miss.

Trailer here.