Ready for the Sofa and Popcorn

These last few weeks have been a little bit hectic so I haven’t had as much time to sit down and watch as many films as I normally would (boo!). But I do have a few that I’ve bought recently (there’s always time for shopping, right?!) and that I am eagerly awaiting to see, so I thought I would do a post about them instead.

1. The Brass Teapot (2013)

I bought this film after seeing it in the iTunes film chart. Honestly it was the name of the film that drew me to it – it’s a bit of an odd title isn’t it?! After watching the trailer and reading what it was about – a magical teapot that spews money whenever you hurt yourself – I decided it might be worth a watch (plus it was relatively cheap!). The plot does sound rather odd and unusual, which was the reason I was drawn to it as I love films which try and do something a bit different. It’s certainly original, although I suppose you could say it’s a peculiar take on the story of Aladdin. But I must admit I am a bit worried that the plot might turn out to be overly stupid, to the point where it becomes irritating rather than funny…hopefully that won’t be the case.

Watch the trailer.

2. Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

I bought this because I love all things Disney so this film is very much up my street. It is based on the Wizard of Oz, but instead of the story of Dorothy it follows the tale of the infamous Wizard and how he came to be. I love watching new adaptations and re-imaginations of classic tales so, for me, this film has a lot of appeal. The cast also looks great and I particularly like the casting of James Franco as Oz. Not so sure about Mila Kunis as the wicked witch though…it’s quite hard to picture.

Watch the trailer.

 3. Up (2009)

I’ve heard so many good things about this film that I am really intrigued to see what all the fuss is about. Everyone I know that has seen it didn’t have a bad word to say about it so I am expecting great things! The film is all about exploring, adventure and fulfilling dreams – it seems to have all of the qualities you would expect from a Disney film really. I have heard it is quite sad in places, but judging by the title, I expect this film will have more highs than lows.

Watch the trailer.

4. The Incredible Hulk (2008)

I absolutely love the Marvel films – Iron Man and Spiderman being my particular favourites. After recently watching The Avengers, it made me want to know more about the other characters so I’m starting with the great big green hulking man! The film has an interesting story and it looks action-packed. I’m just intrigued to see how Edward Norton does as Dr. Bruce Banner, as I thought Mark Ruffalo was excellent as the Hulk in The Avengers.

Watch the trailer.

Suit Up - Iron Man 3

Year of release: 2013

Director: Shane Black

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce, Gwyenth Paltrow, Don Cheadle

Like most other huge movie franchises, I’ve been a bit late with getting into the Iron Man craze. I seem to have quite a habit of completely missing the boat and then stumbling across them way after everyone else.  I didn’t really know much about the Iron Man movies until the third one was released earlier this year and after hearing so many people raving about it I decided to get watching. After seeing the first movie, my love of Iron Man was well and truly established. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting, as unlike most superhero movies Tony Stark doesn’t actually have any crazy superhuman powers, he just happens to be a techy genius – his ‘super power’ is his brain which I thought was pretty cool. It also helped make the story more believable in my opinion. So after the first, I quickly went on to watch the second, followed by The Avengers and then finally the third.

         The film begins with Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) recalling a New Years Eve party back in 1999 which he spent with scientist Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall), the inventor of a regenerative treatment known as Extremis which is used to help people recover from crippling injuries. Whilst they are leaving the party, they are approached by disabled scientists Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) who offers them a chance to work in his company Advanced Idea Mechanics (AIM), an offer which Stark rather rudely rejects. The film then jumps back to the present to find an anxious and over-worked Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) struggling to cope with panic attacks following the events of the alien attack in New York (in The Avengers), whilst he attempts to discover the identity of a terrorist organisation, fronted by a chap known as the Mandarin. After his head of security, Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau), is hospitalized after a suspected terrorist attack outside the Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, Stark makes it his mission to find the man responsible before anyone else gets hurt.

      This third instalment is certainly much darker and more sinister than the previous films and Stark is faced with a greater sense of threat and danger from his enemies than ever before. The villains in the film, led by disabled scientist Aldrich Killian, are able to regrow body parts and can withstand almost any form of attack following their treatment with Extremis, leaving them seemingly impossible to defeat – Stark certainly has his work cut out with this lot. You really do doubt whether the almighty Iron Man will be able to pull it all off this time or if he has finally met his match. And with his on-going battle to deal with his anxiety, Stark is presented with his greatest challenge yet.

Quiet Please. Genius at work.

     Whilst the plot is fast-paced, exciting and action-packed, it can be a little vague at times. The villain’s attacks often seemed a bit without reason and it was difficult to really grasp what their motivation was. But despite this minor ambiguity, the film is hard not to like – it has everything you would hope for in a superhero action movie. The special effects were spectacular. Everything from the explosions, to the creation of the villains, to the Iron Man suits was exceptionally well done. I particularly liked Tony’s new method of getting suited up, which was very comical as well as being incredibly cool! This third instalment definitely upped the ante with the superhero armour and techy gadgets, although there is less of a dependence on the suit in this film and more of a focus on the man who created it. Stark really has to prove his worth and is often forced to rely on his own genius and ingenuity rather than on the suits alone. But, of course, when the suits are used they are undeniably spectacular – a positive outcome of Stark’s obsessive workaholic behaviour at the start of the film.

     Stark, as always, retains his likeability as the charming and witty genius. Although this instalment shows Stark at his most vulnerable, allowing viewers to see a more caring side to his character, particularly through his relationship with Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow). I liked the development of the romantic storyline between Tony and Pepper and it served as a refreshing inclusion amongst all of the chaos and violence and people blowing up all over the place. I also loved the introduction of 10 year old Harley Keener (Ty Simpkins) who helps Tony get back on his feet and inspires him to put his genius to good use when his suit is temporarily out of use. The duo made a very unusual but very lovable and comical pair.

     Packed with plenty of charm, humour and rip-roaring action, this third instalment is a thrilling superhero delight that you will want to watch again and again. So if you haven’t done so already, do yourself a favour and get watching!

Favourite bit: This was a hard one to pick but I did really enjoy the scene where Stark makes numerous attempts to “call” his suit when he’s held hostage. The threats he splutters while waiting for his armour did make me laugh.

Rating: 9/10 

Attend The Tale of Sweeney Todd

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

When I found out that this show was coming to Leeds, I jumped at the chance to go and see it. After watching the film, starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter (2007), the story has stuck with me ever since...it’s kind of a hard one to forget isn’t it?! Yes, Sweeney Todd still proudly holds the crown for “the weirdest film I have ever seen in my life”, but I love it. To this day I still can’t eat a pie without thinking that someone might be in it and then promptly turning to the person next to me and bursting into a strikingly off-key rendition of ‘would you like a pie sir?!’ But don’t be put off by its rather gruesome and grisly plot as it is a really thrilling, albeit peculiar, story. 

     This musical theatre classic, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, tells the tale of Benjamin Barker (later known as Sweeney Todd), a barber who returns to London after 15 years transportation. Upon his return, he discovers his wife has poisoned herself and his daughter is living in the clutches of Judge Turpin, the man responsible for his transportation. Sweeney then vows to exact his revenge on the judge (and basically anyone else he can get his hands on) and with a bit of help from revolutionary pie maker, Mrs Lovett, he becomes the most infamous barber London has ever known.

The closest shave you'll ever have!

     The show begins the moment you set foot in the theatre as you enter to find the cast already on stage and in character as patients in a mental hospital (this wasn’t hard to figure out as they were acting very odd). Walking in to find the show already in motion did seem a little odd and unusual at first (I felt almost as if I was intruding), but it effectively set the scene and the tone of the show making you feel as though you were instantly a part of the story – almost like stepping into a page of a book. The cast, needless to say, were absolutely brilliant. Despite my disappointment that Johnny Depp wasn’t reprising his role as Sweeney (wishful thinking, I know), David Birrell was excellent as the menacing, demon barber capturing his inner torment perfectly. Equally impressive were Barbara Drennan as Lucy Barker and Gillian Bevan as Mrs Lovett, the stand out character of this production for me. Although, I have to say I found Mrs Lovett’s outfits a little odd – they were a bit too pristine and modern, I thought. I was expecting her to be dressed in something darker and ragged and a little more gothic, rather than in an outfit that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a barmaid in Corrie. But still, the kooky nature of Mrs Lovett was captured perfectly. I will also commend Don Gallagher’s fantastic performance of Judge Turpin for making me dislike him so much!  I disliked Turpin even more in this production than I did when I watched the film, so much so that I found myself looking forward to seeing him get his comeuppance, the smug, arrogant, I’ve-got-so-much-power-its-gone-to-my-head nasty little man! 

     The sets were also commendable and Sweeney’s parlour in particular was exceptionally well staged – it had steps, a sink, a nice little door bell and a blood red mechanical barber’s chair that I would not recommend sitting in, ever.  I must admit I did feel a sense of delight when I realised Sweeney’s victims were actually going to be tipped through the floor! It really was very well done. The fire in the bake oven, although very simply created, was also very effective. But it’s the songs in Sweeney Todd that really make this show dazzle and the cast performed them brilliantly. Johanna, Worst Pies in London, Epiphany and Little Priest were among my favourites, but there isn’t really a bad song amongst them. I must confess, I did quiver in my seat a bit during Epiphany, especially when Birrell started yelling ‘HOW ABOUT A SHAVE?!’ into the audience. I felt myself bowing my head and hoping it wasn’t going to turn into one of those shows where they start asking for volunteers. It is such an engrossing and exceptionally gripping story that will have you invariably sat on the edge of your seat.

     This is a fantastic production and is sure to delight any Sweeney fan. Even if you’re not particularly partial to horror and blood and chopping people up to put in pies, this show is hard not to like and despite its dark and sinister plot, it is actually quite comical (I still can’t keep a straight face when presented with pie). It is certainly one of a kind and I can guarantee that after seeing this show, you will never look at a pie the same way again. 

This brilliant musical thriller is showing at the West Yorkshire Playhouse until 26^th October, so don’t hang about, get your tickets here.

Favourite bit: There are so many I could pick, but the scene in which Sweeney and Mrs Lovett sing Little Priest and rejoice in their plan to put people in pies is brilliant.

Rating: 9/10