Out of the jungle into the tiger's jaws

The jungle book is a treasured classic. It sees Mowgli (Neel Sethi) the man cub finding his place in the world when Shere Khan (Idris Elba) decides that he's too much of a danger to hang around. It's the classic case of once bitten, twice shy, but Khan takes it to... erm... extremely violent levels.

Behind you Mowgli!... Ths isn't a made-you-look thing.

When the wolf pack, Mowgli's surrogate family, faces certain death for harbouring him, they send him to the man village with the wise Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) to begin a new life. Yet as can be expected, the journey isn't smooth, and before long the two of them are violently separated. 

Are you sure you don't eat human?

Trusting in the only thing he knows, Mowgli goes deeper into the jungle and meets a few new friends along the way, including Kaa (Scarlett Johansson) and Baloo (Bill Murray). In a mesmerising sequence of events, he discovers how he came to live in the jungle, and discovers what he must do to stop Khan.

What big eyes you have...

From the tallest trees to the blades of grass, this film ensures that every detail of nature is projected with the most natural of qualities. What's also interesting to note is the way the animals are incorporated into this film. Each is so believable as one you could stumble across in a real jungle, yet have their own unique characteristics to bring to the story. For the keen eye... and ear, there are flashbacks to earlier portrayals of the story which will delight both old and new fans of the classic. 

This is definately a movie to see in 3D for an immersive experience. Fantastic and to be throughly enjoyed by old and young- and a special mention to Neel Sethi too, so believable.

Five Quills out of Five.

Wayne v Kent

My first impressions upon hearing about this film were- how exciting, so many superheroes in one film, kind of in a similar style to Marvel's avengers, but with more of the single character films coming later. Then I was feeling a bit unsure as to whether I wanted to see two good guys battling it out. Ultimately, the film was EPIC. 

*Side note: From the onset, there is quite a bit of flashback involved in this film. I didn't find it annoying or frustrating, but some viewers might, and some of the flashbacks may not make too much sense if you haven't seen the introductory film of our new Superman. 

The film begins with a familiar back story and gradually introduces both of our central characters into the piece. Superman's significant other finds herself in a very precarious position, and must be rescued by her caped hero, yet the distinction between good and evil is not as clear cut as is usually the case.

Gradually, as is regretfully often the case, society begins to turn on the heroes that have served them so selflessly, and because of their representation in the media, both Batman and Superman begin to see each other as foes, and by extension, barriers to peace. 

Enter Jesse Eisenberg, AKA Lex Luthor.

Lois describes him as psychotic and she would not be wrong. He's a different kind of scary. On the one hand he is somewhat reminiscent of public figures that we are all too familiar with. He has a way with words and convinces most that weaponising an extremely dangerous radioactive element is the best chance for society. He also comes across as childish and oddly friendly, before it's realised that to  destroy Superman, he is prepared to kill countless innocents and stoop to the lowest levels. 

Superman is soon faced with an impossible decision. To save the life of one he loves, he must do the unthinkable. The conclusion is both shocking and heartening all at once.

Wonder woman makes an appearance (however brief) and hints are given at who else will feature in the up-and-coming Justice League. 

When everything comes to a head, the ending leaves you gasping, wondering, and excited for more (also, I get super excited about the fact that Superman is a Journalist, and I'm studying to be one, so it's pretty cool, and I was secretly or not so secretly on his side during the fight!). 

You should see this... seriously 

Four Quills out of Five.

Wondrous Windex

My Big Fat Greek Wedding Two is a follow on film of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. If you haven't seen the first film- you'll still understand this one, but it won't be as enjoyable. Spoiler alert: the first film is about a Greek girl from a very traditional Greek family, who falls in love with someone who isn't Greek, and as you can imagine this causes a lot of problems- and laughs.

Fourteen years later, My Big Fat Greek Wedding Two has been made, and it's a continuation/repeat of the first. Toula and Ian's (the aformentioned forbidden couple from the first film) daughter begins to feel overwhelmed by the pressure put on her to get married to "a nice Greek boy" and to go to a college close to home. Familiar faces arrive to offer "guidance", Toula's parents find out their marriage certificate wasn't officially signed by the priest, and Toula and Ian have marriage problems of their own. The result is chaos.

There are some funny moments, humorous because of personal experience and nods to the first film. In places however, the film falls flat, there are periods where nothing much happens, and the plot 

line is pretty predictable for the most part. However, there's a lot of heart in this film, and sometimes it's nice to watch something lighthearted. Without giving too much away, one of the final scenes is really beautiful, and quite emotional, really tying the whole film together in a sweet way.

I would recommend this film if you're looking for something light hearted and heart warming to watch. In terms of originality of concept and complexity of storyline, it misses the mark a bit, but it's good fun.

Three Quills out of Five.

To Brooklyn and back

Brooklyn is a heartfelt film which tells a tale of struggle, hope, loss and love. It deals with a plethora of situations and emotions that everyone will experience in some way, at some point in their life, whether it be through personal experience, or by holding concern for someone close.

Set in the 1950's, Eilis, with the help of her sister Rose, makes the brave decision to leave her home in Enniscorthy to live in Brooklyn, where she hopes to achieve her career goals and create a life for herself.

The journey there is trepedacious in itself, and she soon feels very alone in the world. While there she experiences a great many trials and joys, each tearing at the heartstrings of Eilis and the audience alike. 

When a great tragedy brings her back to Ireland , she is forced to consider where her heart and home truly live. 

The story is at the same time familiar and unexpected. It warms the heart and is portrayed so beautifully by accurate costuming, stunning natural lighting and filming, a lovely accompanying soundtrack, and wonderful actors that bring a lot of heart to the film.

This film is one of those unexpected gems. It tells a relatively simple story so elegantly, and touches the audience in different ways. As I left the cinema, I heard one elderly woman express how tormented she would have felt had her daughter left for another country, one such instance that proved there was so much dimension to this film.

This film isn't even shown in every cinema, but if you have the opportunity to reach one, I strongly encourage you to see it - just be sure to bring a friend, or a family member, and a box of tissues, you'll need the whole box for this one.

Five Quills out of Five.

Chewy, we're home...

As the classic title music began and the traditional opening plot introduction rolled down the screen, I couldn't help but smile. It really did feel like coming home, like meeting up with family members you hadn't seen in a while, and yet their warm smiles made it feel like yesterday. Throughout the film the classic star wars transitions, wimpy generals of the dark side, mighty heroes we love, and the general feel of the planets and battle scenes were maintained, and it was fantastic.

I felt goosebumps as Chewy and Han entered the scene, and at that point, it really felt like I was watching one of the original films. I was so excited about the fact that my most favourite original Star Wars characters were playing a major role in the film, and it was also an interesting experience to meet the new crew. The new fighters are brave and selfless, and as they fought alongside the originals, there was a sense they would fit in very well as legends of the Star Wars Universe.

The plot was equally enthralling, from many twists, unexpected family connections, wonderful flashbacks to flights and conflicts of the past, and even hints at cherished creative aspects from previous films.

There was one part of the plot that I wasn't happy with at all, it resulted in the death of one of my favourite characters, and brought tears to my eyes, I really wish things didin't turn out that way. I feel that Star Wars won't be the same without this character, unless they are brought into the story in some other way. Hopefully the other characters will come close to how great this character is, and continue to do justice to the Star Wars universe into the future. 

The film ended on a cliffhanger, quite literally, and I am eagerly anticipating what will happen next in this story in a galaxy far far away.

I am awarding this film four out of five quills, definately a must see(it loses a quill as a direct result of the death of one of my favourite Star Wars characters). May the force be with you.

Real or not real? Real.

There are so many things I could say about this film. The characters are outstanding, the plot is thought provoking and superbly executed, the soundtrack is spine tingling, the action is on a grand scale, and the ultimate victory is beyond satisfying. I could also say, without revealing too much, that while I read and watched the films, I was hoping for a specific pairing, and while it did not eventuate, I could see why and was moved by the choice. Yet, the truth is, nothing I can say will do the books, the adaptation to film, nor the films themselves any justice whatsoever. I think that one of the greatest strengths of this series is its ability to move the individual beyond words and strike a chord on a personal level in different ways for everyone, and on that note, I will let it speak for itself- there are certainly worse games to play.

Its very fabric is something to behold

Tilly Dunnage returns to her home town to confront the demons of her past, and spend some time with her mother- or so she thinks. While so at home in the country, her elegant and richly coloured clothing is uniquelly out of place with the rustic appeal of the town.

Yet rather than welcoming friendly folk, the members of her would-be-community are judgemental and cruel. As Tilly progresses in her stay, it seems the more she befriends the people from her past, the more others strive to kick her down.

In the face of it all, the colourful police inspector provides a lot of laughs, as Teddy wins her heart and shields her from the dark world as best he can.

However, the film also contains tragic turns and sorely unanticipated twists.

This film is fantastic. I was very impressed by it. It made me laugh as hard as I cried, and the acting was exceptional against the beautiful backdrop of the Australian outback and the richness of the clothing.

Five Quills out of Five, and many more than that if I could.