Paul

Directed by: Greg Mottola
Released: UK 14 Feb 2011, USA 18 Mar 2011
Starring: Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, Kristen Wiig, Jason Bateman, Sigourney Weaver, Blythe Danner, Bll Hader, Jane Lynch, Seth Rogen



IMDB Link

He said:

If I am completely honest I was a bit apprehensive when I saw the first trailer for Paul. As much as I have enjoyed Frost and Pegg onscreen in the past (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) I had assumed that the films were as good as they were because of Edgar Wright calling the shots behind the scenes. Luckily the boys found themselves in capable hands of writer-turned-director Greg Mottola (who directed Superbad and wrote and directed Adventureland)

Paul plays towards its target demographic (14-31 year old males) with its penis jokes and toilet humor without any apologies. The film was co written by Pegg and Frost and is in no uncertain terms an often brilliant lampooning of pop culture from the last thirty years, including Mac and Me which I thoroughly enjoyed as a child but doesn't get nearly as much mention in pop culture as E.T.

Funny side note: (I embarrassed my wife and her parents when I stood up during a climactic scene and shouted along with a character a line that I had been holding my breath in hopes they would take the obviously well laid bait, and then applauded them for doing so.) I am not one that normally encourages outbursts in the cinema, but I am only human.

That isn't to say that this is a geek film, Helen's parents both enjoyed it as much as I did. The story is well written and the pace is spot on. While this film isn't solely a parody there are a lot of winks and nods at other well known alien encounter films from start to finish. I enjoyed this film and give it {{{4.5 out of 5}}}

She said:

If you haven't guessed it by now James and I are kind of nerdy. And with the masses of pop culture references and sci-fi pastiche in Paul nerds are exactly the people who this film is aimed at. I particularly enjoyed a voice cameo by Steven Spielberg and the very fact that Sigourney Weaver is in the film at all makes me happy.

As usual Pegg and Frost's hilarious bromance chemistry won the audience over. While I didn't enjoy this film as much as Shaun of the Dead I did enjoy it much more than Hot Fuzz. Unlike James I wasn't worried about the lack of Edgar Wright but I was concerned about Seth Rogen playing Paul (probably because the last thing I saw him in was The Green Hornet and... oh God the memories, cry). However his voice acting worked really well and funnily enough I found Paul a rather believable creature.

I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys really nerdy, laugh out loud funny comedies. It helps if you have a love of pop culture so you can pick up the references but even without this the story is great. As James said the plot is well paced and keeps your attention well. I give this film {{{4 out of 5}}}

They Said: A perfect celebration of alien sci-fi pop culture with moments that will make you cringe and moments that will make you double up with laughter. We give this film {{{8.5 out of 10}}}

Despicable Me 3D

Director: Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud
UK release: 15 Oct 2010
US release: 9 July 2010
Starring: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Fisher, Kristen Wiig



IMDB Page

She said:

The first I knew about this film was when I was in the US this summer, where Despicable Me characters adorned the walls of every IHOP restaurant I visited. I was instantly intrigued by these bean-like yellow aliens with big grins and funny goggles and knew that this was a film that would make me 'awww' a ridiculous amount. This prediction turned out to be true.

In fact not only did I 'aww' but I also had a tear in my eye at some points and of course a LOT of laughs throughout. I know it sounds cliched but this really is a film for all the family, with enough jokes and visual gags to keep both children and adults engaged and entertained.

I am trying hard to think of what I did not enjoy and I find myself unable to fault this film. The voice acting and character development was especially well done for an animated film. I highly enjoyed Agnes who is the youngest child and by far one of the funniest animated characters of the year.

I really have not laughed this much at a film for a long time - it was almost therapeutic. Please see this film. I give it {{{5 out of 5}}}

He said:
I have seen this film three times in cinema, and I have walked out of the theatre smiling and still laughing with each viewing. I seem to find something new each time I see the film.

The first teaser trailers for this film (The silhouette of Carrel's Character Gru) did not do it justice, highlighting the least imaginative of the films vast array of individual entertaining characters.

Fans of this film will be happy to note that the uber-popular minion characters currently have an animated series already in development with Cartoon Network. If nothing else Illumination Entertainment studios has stumbled upon a cash cow with many lucrative opportunities.

This is a fun film that will definitely find itself on many DVD shelves this holiday season. I absolutely suggest this film to anyone in the need of a fun and happy family friendly film. I give it {{{4.5 out of 5}}}

They said:

This film is well paced with a great balance between comedy and heart. This is a great first feature film from Illumination Entertainment and we expect great things from them in the future. We give this film {{{9.5 out of 10}}}


QUESTION FOR THE COMMENTS: WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE EVIL-VILLAIN-WITH-A-HEART?

Whip It! (Directed by Drew Barrymore)

IMDB PAGE

Starring:
Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, Jimmy Fallon, Alia Shawkat,Eve, Zoe Bell

She said:

This film was great fun; laugh out of loud funny, sexy, sassy and with a great soundtrack. Drew Barrymore (who, by the way, I LOVE) saw her directorial debut with this film and I have to say she did a wonderful job. The acting and pacing kept the balance of humour and sentiment really well. Her talent behind the camera is unsurprising though having been on film sets since she was a tiny 7 year old.

This is essentially a coming-of-age film. And I love those kind of films. They are not solely aimed at teens nor adults. I think some mums would enjoy this one and identify with a mother (played by the wonderful Marcia Gay Harden who is perfect for this 50s style housewife) who is finding it hard to let her daughter become an independent woman.

Although Ellen Page was the protagonist I did feel this was an ensemble film with the supporting characters all playing unique and individual roles. No one person stood out too much although I have to admit a soft spot for the best friend Pash. I found the friendship and the changes it undergoes both for the bad and good quite believable.

Overall I have to say - what a fantastic film! I came out of it wanting to don some skates, fishnets and hotpants and join the roller derby myself! I give it {{{4.5 out of 5}}}

He Said:

I really enjoyed this film. It has a solid story with an excellent pace. The soundtrack is perfect and even the subplots have a nice and even necessary feel. I never felt the side stories were diversions or fillers, as is common in so many films.

As Helen said this film marks the directorial debut of Drew Barrymore and I really think that she did a stellar job. Ellen Page has proven once more that she is more than just "that witty pregnant girl" as this film has heart and wit in spades. Juliet Lewis is in a rare small role and I think she is one of my favorite sub-characters.

The screenplay was written by Shauna Cross the author of the original novel who was an actual Roller derby athlete in Los Angeles (the films Hurl Scouts are based on her team Tough Cookies which had the same girl scout theme and team colors.) I think this fact alone is the reason that the film never seems to drift from reality into campy fantasy.

This is another American Film that is just now reaching the UK shores and if you are on the other side of the pond you can find this film at your local DVD retailer and rental stores, as well as on NETFLIX. I give this film {{{{4.5 out of 5}}}}

They said:
Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page make a great director/actress duo. We really enjoyed this film but what about you? Let us know! We give it [[[[9 out of 10]]]]