says it all really

la la lalala la la la lala la la its the return of the Smurfs

This summer sees the return of a classic childhood show but this time on the big screen.  Yup the little blue men and girl return in the all new The Smurfs in 3d.  While strolling out for some Smurf Fruit, Clumsy Smurf manages to lead Gargamel into the Smurf Village,  as the Smurfs scatter Clumsy manages to go the wrong way forcing Papa, Brainy, Gutsy, Grouchy and Smurfette chasing after him. Before you know they have managed to go through a blue moon vortex and landed in non other than New York City,  very Enchanted like, yet again Clumsy manages to be clumsy causing them to meet Grace and Patrick Winslow.  The Winslow's offer shelter to the Smurfs from Gargamel as they try to make it home.  The Smurfs also cause Patrick to go on his own little journey as he prepares for fatherhood.

Cast - Jayma Mays, Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry, Alan Cumming, Hank Azaria, Sofia Vergara, Jonathan Winters and more

The Smurfs puts you back into childhood.  The plot is another put to another world and desperate to get home type story but it is a kids film.  The infamous Smurf song will be stuck in your head as well as their version of Walk This Way.  You will also drive yourself mad replacing words with Smurf.

Rating 3/5  Its smurf good.

Oh no another Planet of the Apes Movie

 -Summary-

After Planet of The Apes which arguably could be Tim Burton's worst film ever, another attempt has been made in the Planet of the Apes franchise.  This time a prequel by British director Rupert Wyatt ( The Escapist).  The film sees Will Rodham ( James Franco) working on a cure for Alzheimer's with the testing of the drug on Chimps.  After the Chimp goes ape,  Will and his colleague stumble across  a baby chimp.  Over nine years Will and his father, a sufferer of Alzheimer's and a protagonist for Will and his endeavor played by John Lithgow,  raise the Chimp now known as Caesar to sign and think as a human being.  After a scuffle with a next door neighbour, Caesar is sent to a Monkey sanctuary, ran by John Landon (Bill Cox) and his son Dodge ( Harry Potters Tom Felton).  Dodge who sees the Apes as nothing more manages to get the Apes to turn on him and before you know it they go on a rampage with the help of Caesar and the Alzheimer drug.  

Verdict

Although a serious drama, one could not help but laugh at some dramatic moments.  At some points it lags and drags on and others just ridiculous for instance  In nine years Franco's character does not age one bit.  The plot itself cannot be faulted and the premise for the Ape uprising is indeed very modern and the motivation for Will to find this cure is indeed make you sympathetic.  

Acting

James Franco as the lead is a very weird choice.  Although not a great lover of Franco, you cannot fault his portrayal of the scientist.  It is brilliant.  The emotion of anguish as he tries to save his father and also the evident love he has for Caesar.  Franco should stick to roles like this instead of comedy and soap dramas. Lithgow portrayal of Will's father is also brilliant.  I have missed seeing LIthgow as a fan of 3rd Rock from the Sun and Footloose.  However the ape of the film hands down goes to Andy Serkis.

Serkis yet again shows us how to do it when it comes to motion capture and his portrayal of the ape Caesar gives the film more credibility cgi wise as it makes the relationships between the characters and Caesar more touching.   On his first film away from the Potter franchise, Felton shows us a clear break from playing a bad guy.  Oh yeah he doesnt.

Cast :  James  Franco, Andy Serkis, John LIthgow, Freida Pinto, Brian Cox, Tom Felton, David Oyelowo,

Rating - 4/5

looking good....

In Time - 

Immortals

Fright Nights

War Horse

The Ides of March

Classic Corner - Moonlight

Aired - 2007/2008
Cause of Cancellation - Ratings and Guild Strike of America
Starring Alex O'Loughlin, Sophia Myles, Jason Dohring, Shannyn Sossamon

Before the craze of Twilight and The Vampire Diaries there was Moonlight on CBS.  Moonlight stars O'Loughlin as Mick St John a private investigator with a difference.  He's an 85 year old Vampire.  Based in LA, he runs into Beth Turner (Myles) a reporter for Buzzwire who he just so happens to know as he saved her from his crazy ex.  The 16 episodes are based around Mick and Beth investigating both human and Vampire crimes and before you know it they have fallen in love ( through the death of her boyfriend and the return of Micks ex).  If it werent for the Strikes in 2008 this series would probably be in its fourth series at the moment.  The stories are gripping and the characters endearing.  Especially Dohring's portrayal of 400 and odd Vampire Joseph.  A rich vampire who does everything to keep the Vampire secret.  If your ever in town and see this on the shelf pick it up.  You will love it.

  Moonlight @ Play.com

Films this week

This weeks must see films

1.  Super 8
2.  Captain America
3.  Cars 2
4. Zookeeper
5.  releases this friday Cowboys & Aliens

US tv news weekly update

Charlie's Angels

Channel 4 today announced the acquisition of ABC's Charlie's Angels for sister channel E4.  Produced by Drew Barrymore and starring Annie Ilonzeh, Minka Kelly, Rachael Taylor and Ramon Rodgriguez will premier this fall in the US.  UK viewers can probably expect it in the old Glee slot ie early January as One Tree Hill is mid season this year.

Game of Thrones

The cast list for Season two of the great HBO hit program Game of Thrones is getting bigger this year with the addition of another old school Skins member.  Hannah Murray  who played Cass in season 1 and 2 will play Gilly a  young woman desperate to escape the oppression of wildling man Craster, according to TV Guide.

Super 8

In a small town of Lillian in the USA in the late 70s, a teenage boy faces a sudden loss.   All he has left is a strained relationship with his father, and a movie he is making with his friends.  One night  while filming a newly written scene at the train station, Charles (Riley Griffiths) sees a production value in the shape of a high speed train.  In a panic they start rollin.  Joe ( Joel Courtney) however spots something wrong.  A van on the tracks.  Before you know it the train is derailed and the group of kids run for their lives through explosion after explosion.  The next day dogs are running away, electricity cables missing as well as other electrical products.  But what is the cause????????  

You also must stay seated during the credits!!!

If you love the Goodies + E.T then you are going to love this film.  From the mind of J.J. Abrams  who wrote and directed the film and executive produced by Steven Spielberg this film has everything.  Comic moments, explosions, train wrecks, horror, death, you name it.  The cinematography is one of a kind, the effects and cgi is just brilliant and all to the beat of a very pre new romantic era.

Starring:  Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Kyle Chandler, Ron Eldard, Noah Emmerich, Bruce Greenwood, David Gallagher, Riley Griffiths, Michael Hitchcock, Ryan Lee, Gabrial Basso.

Rating 5/5  - A must see Movie 

UKTV picks up US drama

Today UKTV announced the pick up of three new shows!

Grimm set to make its season premier on NBC this fall is a supernatural/crime drama which sees a distant relative of The Grimm brothers who begins seeing Humans as supernatural creatures. It will make its UK premier on Watch

Dave has acquired the rights for Suits. Patrick J Adams stars as a high school drop out who is hired by a top Manhattan Law firm

And finally in the channels first scripted progam Really has acquired the rights to USA netwroks Covert Affairs. This has seen great reviews and currently on ots second season!!

Captain America

The final installment this year from Marvel sees the release of Captain America the first Avenger. In a true under dog story Steve Rodgers an ashmatic scrawny kid who is desperate to enlist and fight for his country against Hitler, has a chance meeting with a dr who enlists him in a program for special agents. After being picked by the dr he is transformed into the
X factor of soldiers. After some events he becomes the war time event performer known as Captain America. It is up to Captain America to fight Dr Schmidt and Hydra and his plot to take over the world...

The Good Bits

The comic parts which gives light relief at some dark moments!!!

The Avengers prequel AND stay for the very end with the extended Avengers trailer which makes the wait till May unbearable

The stellar cast including Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones and Hugo Weaving!!!
The Bad Bits

The CGI at some parts are are a bit shady and rubbish ( except the Scrawny Chris Evans to musceled Chris Evans)

Total Rating 4.5/5


A summer must see

Cars 2

So yes I know your reviewing a kids film but in all honesty its a Pixar/Disney film. A total new league of its own!!! Anyway the familiar charachters return to Radiators Springs but this time the action is moved from the small US city to a global platform!!! Lightning McQueen takes off into the world prix with Mater in toe!! For the rest see the film

While the film is a light relief, it departs from the orignal heavly oriented Lightning McQueen centred film to become a the Mater spin off film. This lets you down a bit!! Also worth note is the end song sung by Robbie Williams and a Brad Paisley

Total 2/5

Some news from the USA

The new E4 hit show Franklin & Bash currently on air Wednesdays, has been renewed for a second series.  After watching the first two episodes I am already hooked on this programme.  Not usually a legal drama fan, it is a fresh air to the genre with stars such as Heroes and Star Trek Alum Malcolm McDowel, Breckin Meyer and Mark Paul Gosselaar.  This id def a show not  to miss

Chuck series 6?

TV Line have posted an interview with the cast of Chuck at comic con where Ausiello hints that Chuck could be in negotiations for a 6th season but on a different channel.  As a Chuck fan I hope this is true as NBC never fully understood this gold mine of a show.  Alec Baldwin seems to agree also in the video

House

Odette Annabelle has joined the cast of House as a series regular.  Report suggest that she will be a dr in the prison where House is doing time after driving into Cuddy's House and that House will recruit her for the team.  It is also suggested that she is there to fill the Edelstein/ Wilde void with the departure of Cuddy in s8 and less Thirteen due to Wilde's filming schedule.

One Tree Hill

EW is reporting that Stephen Colletti's real life girlfriend former Dancing With The Stars alum Chelsea Kane will appear in an episode of s9!!!

Eeeekkkk

Gary Oldman, Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hardy AND the very sexy Anne Hathway star in the final installment of Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy.  Just judging by this teaser trailer you just know its going out with a big bang.  And who is narrating?  It couldn't be Liam Neeson who played Ra's al Ghul in Batman Begins who was killed off in the film?  Or was he? 

The Avengers

Ok so who isn't excited by The Avengers next years big Marvel Blockbuster.  Excluding The Dark Knight Trilogy, Marvel has been at the top of turning their comics into Movies and that includes since the Walt Disney Take over,  after this years summer hits X-Men First Class, Thor and Captain America, Joss Whedon takes the stage with the mega hit.  The Avengers where Stark, Thor, Captain America,  the Hulk and Hawk eye join up with Nick Fury's Shield to battle an evil enemy that threatens the world.

This weekend  saw the release of this great promo photo

I just cant wait to see this film next summer.

Definitely one to watch

Comic Con delights

So the last two panels of interest were Doctor Who and Merlin. And a bunch Of noteworthy news was announced
Doctor who
It is well worth a look visiting the doctor who website to see the trailer for eps8-13 from it you get this info

1. Cybermen
2. The Return of Craig
3. River Song with an eye patch like that of the women from mid series break
4. The rerun of the silence swell as the deadly astronaut

Other Who News

Zap2it broke the story that Karen Gillan has confirmed he will be in season 7 although no BBC confirmation as of yet. This means Amy Pond would be the longest serving Assistant since te relaunch.

BBC America announced that Doctor Who series 6b will air 27th Aigust! Again no Nnc confirmation on the Uk but one should expect earlier the same day or week before!!

When the panel was asked about Dr Who cross overs Gillan paid homage to Star Trek The Next Generation where as Smith said Big Bang Theory!

smith also stated he would like JJ Abrams to wrote An episode of Doctor Who as well as the return of Russell T Davies


Merlin

The executive producers announced that Merlin has been recommissioned for a fifth season

Uther will return as well as the introduction of his brother

morganna will have full strength of her powers equal to Merlins
S

Horrible Bosses

Director: Seth Gordon
Writers: Michael Markowitz (screenplay), John Francis Daley (screenplay),
Stars: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farell, Kevin Spacey 

Doesn't everyone not have one of those days at work where all you want to do is kill your boss?  Hypothetically speaking of course.  Well in the lives of Nick, Dale and Kurt that is exactly what they decide to do.  Nick decides to kill of his boss who has tormented him for 8 years, Dave Harken portrayed by Kevin Spacey, Dale decided to kill of his sexually harassing boss Julia and Kurt?  Well he just wants to off his old boss ( played by non other than Donald Sutherland) son and now new boss Bobby played by Farell.  In 98 mins you see the capers of the three as they put their plan into action.  

The film has you in hysterics, jumping and cringing throughout.  Farell gives a brilliant performance as Bobby and in some scenes is the main protagonist for your laughter.  Not one of Spacey's fans one felt a bit unsure what to expect.  True to form he played the usual character he seems to play since American Beauty.  The annoying character who you just want to kill so for this role is very suited.  With her Brunette looks Aniston portrays the dentist.  Aniston is actually funny in her portrayal but it is not the best performance of her career, as a sex craven female it is a return to the roles such as in Bruce Almighty and Bounty Hunter.  The three main protagonists Bateman, Day and Sudeikis are very very funny in the portrayal especially in the breaking into Bobby's scene.

Overall the film is a good comedy this summer but cannot compete with the already released Bridesmaids and The Hangover Part 2.  The plot is not original and at some points is reminiscent of the Coen brothers Burn After Reading.

Comic Con 2011 - Glee

everyone who is everyone that loves tv and film and obviously comic books will know that this weekend is Comic Con 2011!! Now there is just too much info to post on here so why not check out some good nuggets on TV Line  on shows from Chuck to Torchwood.  THE event of today has to be the Glee Panel and here is what we found out.

1.  Executive Producer  and Co Creator Brad Falchuk told the audience at SDCC that even though Rachel, Finn and Kurt are graduating at the end of S3 it does not mean they are leaving the show,  Falchuk stated that Lea is under contract so they need to take that into consideration.

2.  With the news last month that Chord Overstreet was not upgraded to series regular it was announced today that Sam WILL NOT BE BACK FOR S3.  Where does this leave Mercedes?  Well she will be getting a new BF.

3.  Coach Bieste will be back in s3.

4.  She's tried to destroy the Glee Club at a local level now Sue WILL be running for Congress on a 'NO Arts at all' campaign.

5.  What about a Glee Spin-off?  Falchuk stated that they had permission from  Fox to look into it hence the broadway theme at the end of s2 except they are leaning away from it.

6.  Klaine will still be there.  Hopefully Crisis will film before hypothetically joining Broadway

Come back later to see some info and gossip from the Doctor Who panel

Lights, Camera, ACTION

Welcome to the T&F blog.  Here you will find reviews on the latest films released in the UK as well as some golden oldie, tv program reviews and news both from home and abroad.

This week at a glance

Film
Horrible Bosses
Cars 2
Captain America
Untouchables

Tv
Torchwood: Miracle Day
Franklin & Bash
Fallin Skies
Body Of Proof
Sons of Anarchy
Beaver Falls
The Cape
One Tree Hill

As always we will try to bring you any juicy news thats circling around especially from comic con :)