This is 40: Movie Review & Giveaway

Who's in it? 

Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Maude Apatow, Jason Segel & Melissa McCarthy

What's it About? 

In a spin off of Apatow's previous success Knocked Up, we're five years on and back with Pete and Debbie as they both turn 40 and embark on their respective mid life crises. An ensemble cast of just about everyone in Hollywood and Chris O' Dowd are along for the rude, crude and painfully realistic ride. 
 

Any Good? 

There's a recurring theme in Judd's films that makes them feel more like extended, improvised chats between characters rather than scripted comedy. This can fall flat with audiences (Think Grown Ups) but luckily This is 40 manages to find the balance even without a plot to speak of. 

Running long at just over 2 hours (as is Apatow's wont), there are times when rudderless one liners could have been trimmed but for all that there are some serious laugh out loud moments. The daughters (played by Mann & Apatow's real life spawn) have divided opinion in that the elder daughter, Sadie, is one of the most high pitched, annoying characters I've yet to encounter and her younger sibling one of the most enjoyable and natural on screen. I'm only hoping big sis is that good of an actress. 

Piecing together the haphazard snapshots of life at 40 is made that much easier by a talented  and varied supporting cast, though we never fully relate to, or dare I say it like any one of them, each serve their comedic purpose. Of course Megan Fox is on hand to be naked, groped and a bargaining chip for girls to get their boys to the cinema but again she adds very little to the story or the end result.

On the whole This is 40 is a patchwork of what I imagine Apatow's real life is like and that won't be to everyone's taste. It might be my grá for the likes of Rudd, Lithgow and my uncanny ability to ignore Chris O Dowd but I genuinely enjoyed this latest Judd offering. 

By the by, wait to watch the end credits, I had an actual pain in the centre of my face laughing at Melissa McCarthy (as did the others when the camera pans out). 

Rating: 

GIVEAWAY: To celebrate the opening of This is 40 on February 14th, Universal Ireland have very kindly offered 5 soundtracks for you lovely folks. This is open to Ireland only, soz, but should you want to get your mitts on one, simply send your name, address and phone number to cherrysuecomps@gmail.com and I'll pick 5 random winners on Feb 14th. Good Luck! 

Les Misérables Soundtracks & Movie Passes Up for Grabs!!

Hey, Heeeey!! 

Great to see you 2013, you great, big sexy beast, have we all had a fantastic Christmas then? It's been a quiet one round Casa Cherry, just the way we like it but I'm back to the blogosphere and firing on all cylinders with big plans for the next 12 months. 

As the first post of the new year I thought I'd give a little something back, well five things and they're not so little either. Thanks to Universal Ireland I have 5 Les Mis gift packs to give away, each containing the movies soundtrack AND a pair of Universal passes to see the movie in any Irish cinema of your choice. Nice, eh? 

To be in with a chance to win I just need you to watch the trailer above and tell me: 

'Which Wolverinish man beast plays the part of Jean Valjean?' 

It really couldn't be easier. 

Send your answer, along with your name, address and telephone number (for Universal, not for me, you big flirt) to cherrysuecomps@gmail.com.
The movie hits cinemas on January 11th so I'll announce the winners on January 10th. 

Good Luck and Happy New Year, everyone!

We have winners!! The five lucky ducks to win the fabulous Les Misérables movie packs are: Mick Caffrey, Kathleen McGrath, Olive Leddy, Caz Bacon & Pat Brady!! Huge congrats everyone :D

The Man with the Iron Fists: Passes Up For Grabs!!

Presented by Tarantino and written and directed by RZA of Wu Tang fame comes The Man with the Iron Fists. It's an incredibly kitsch nod to 1970s Kung Fu, a modern day Monkey, if you will. You wanna fight? *Mouths 3 bajillion words* Fight me!'

The very kind people at Universal Ireland have given me five, yep FIVE sets of passes so you can see what the high kicking, bone crunching fuss is about as the movie hits Irish screens today. 

In order to win, all I wanna know is 'Which Charlie's Angel plays the part of the feisty Madam?' For a HUGE hint, watch the trailer above. 

Comment with your answer below and I'll pick 5 lucky recipients on Monday the 10th! 

Good Luck, everyone. 

Introducing ParaNorman: An Awe Inspiring Featurette

I'm an unashamed lover of Coraline, so when I heard that the masterminds behind her creation were releasing another hand made, stop motion, 3D movie I was delighted. When I saw the trailers for ParaNorman even more so. 

Watching this featurette, however, takes my admiration for the Laika production team to a whole new level. The pain staking work that has gone into creating each and every miniature scene really is a wonder to behold. 

ParaNorman opened this summer in the States to unilaterally positive reviews and Irish cinemas this September 14th. I'll bring you little teasers such as this one on the run up, cos you gots to be as excited as I am to see it, you gots to!

Pssst, if you can't wait until the 14th, ClickOnline.com 
have a chance to grab preview tickets for the 8th
at Movie Fest. Click here to enter. 

First Look: This is 40

You'll remember Pete & Debbie from Judd Apatow's Knocked up, This is 40 rejoins them when they're settled with a family of their own and looks at the trials and tribulations that mif life brings you.

The trailer looks great, the cast seems perfectly chosen (What with their being in a bajillion other successful comedies) and when it hits Irish screens on December 21st, I'll be there, popcorn in hand.

I've two questions: 1. Will you be watching this one? and 2. Do you reckon when Megan Fox fell out with Michael Bay she knew all she'd be doing for the next ten years would be getting her diddies out to faux surprise from (slightly) older ladies?

The Bourne Legacy - Movie Review

Who's in It? 

Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton
What's it About? 

Crossing paths with the most recent Bourne incarnation and the result of the previous three, The Bourne Legacy is our introduction to Aaron Cross and his relentless fight to stay enhanced but, more importantly, to stay alive. 

Any Good? 

Brothers Dan and Tony Gilmore take the helm, writing and directing respectively to bring us the fourth instalment of the Bourne franchise. But it doesn't pick up where The Bourne Ultimatum leaves off, more dovetails the events of the previous film, meaning that despite Jason Bourne never physically making an appearance, his shadow is all over this story. 

Instead of doing a Bond type switcheroo with the protagonist when Matt Damon refused to return, we're instead invited to believe that 'There was never just one'. While no one will ever live up to Damon's role in the trilogy for me, if broadening the super spy employee roster means we get Jeremy Renner then I'm all for it. 

They're not crossbows!

Our movie starts in several locations, flitting back and forth between a hirsute Cross (Renner) in the wilds of Alaska Bear Grylls style being hunted by a pack of wolves and medicating himself daily and to the panicked meeting rooms of CIA intelligence pitching a fit about Bourne running amok. While the Bourne trilogy are some of my favourite films, the first third of this movie relies heavily on the assumption that we're über fans, have memorised the previous plots and can pick up the story line immediately. Most of us haven't and don't.   

It's a little hard to follow at first for that very reason but it's safe to say that the Government want their elite, neurally controlled soldiers out of commission i.e. dead before they can reveal any information about the top secret operation they've been running. Sounds familiar, right? This time though we see that there's always been a bajillion (exact figure) similar operations, conveniently opening the door to many, many more movies.

The powers that be led by Colnol Byler (Norton)

Cross manages to escape several imaginative assassination attempts and pull a double cross in order to get to Dr Marta Shearing, the incredibly attractive biochemist that has been treating him/neurally altering him/virally enhancing him/giving him green & blue pills, since he joined the program. His chems are running out and she is his only hope, it's handy then that she's fleeing assassination too and he is hers as well.

Once it picks up the adrenaline pumping action is truly Bourne worthy, it takes a very long while to do that though, focussing more and the detailed plot and layered story lines. The basic premise is essentially the same, the Government are trying to kill the good guy, but this is where Renner brings something different to the table. We're never shown that he's the good guy, we know very little about him, other than he will stop at nothing to get the 'chems' he needs. He's edgier than Bourne, appears colder and makes calculated decisions and kills with little or no remorse. 

While both Renner and Weisz are hugely entertaining in the lead roles, there's never really a connection or relationship development with their characters (I'm guessing they hadn't the time when everyone's trying to shoot, stab and maim 'em) but still, just as the adrenalin starts really pumping, we're given a Bond like ending, far too abruptly.

It's clear that this is just the beginning of a revival of the Bourne series, while it's predecessors were slick, clever and relentless, this outing was more of a slow burn that only picked up pace toward the end. More a Bourne 3 and half but with untold promise. I would have preferred they either waited for a better story or started the action earlier, but nevertheless, it's an enjoyable outing with some of the most amazing chase and action sequences you'll see this year thrown in.

Do yourself a favour and re-watch The Bourne Ultimatum before you head along to 'Legacy', the high should be enough to allow you to hit the ground running.

Rating:

Step Up 4 - Sports Merchandise Giveaway!

Hot on the heels of my Facebook competition to win 5 pairs of tickets to the Step Up 4 Preview Gala screening in Dublin, comes another super giveaway, with huge thanks to Universal Ireland.

Again, there'll be 5 winners but this time the prize is more on the 'Sports Luxe'* end of the scale. Check 'em out, yo:

If you want to look like you've just stepped off the set, then just watch the clip above and finish this quote: 'Enough with performance art, it's time for ...... ......'. Email me your answer & details to cherrysuecomps@gmail.com.

Competition will run until Sunday August 12th, is open to Republic of Ireland residents (sorry, company rules) and will need permission for under 18s entries.

Wishing you all the very best of Luck!

*Tongue very firmly

  in cheek

Exclusive Look at The Bourne Legacy Teaser Trailer

One of my favourite things about working with movie studios and production companies for this here blog is bringing you exclusive content and exciting teaser trailers. This peek at the upcoming Bourne Legacy thriller is a prime example.

Introduced by Mr Renner himself, behold 2 and a half minutes of why I can't wait until August 17th.

It's looking like Jeremy purposely didn't over extend himself as Hawk-Eye in order to beef it up and kick some ass in the latest of one of the best franchises to date.

Excited much?

**Battleship Bumper Giveaway**

To celebrate the upcoming release of Battleship, the good folks at Universal Pictures Ireland have given me 5 (FIVE) bumper Battleship goodie bags to give away. 2 for here and 3 for the Facebook page. 

Each bumper bag contains two caps, a waterproof case, a ladies' t-shirt and best of all? A pair of tickets for the BATTLESHIP Preview Event: that's a food and drinks after-work party followed by the screening of the film on April 11th in Dublin! Wowsers! 

To be in with a chance to win, watch the trailer and tell me: Which Barbadian R&B songstress stars as Petty Officer Cora Raikes? 

Send your answer, name and contact details to cherrysuedointhedo@gmail.com. 

T&Cs: Over 18s only (because of the kick ass party). You must be signed up for the CherrySue newsletter to enter (You can do so right now on the right hand bar). Winners will be notified on April 10th. Good Luck ♥

Contraband - Movie Review

Who's in it?

Mark Wahlberg, Giovanni Ribisi and Kate Beckinsale

What's it About?

Chris Farraday (Wahlberg) was a legendary smuggler in his home town in New Orleans, that was until he decided to go legit, settle down and set up an alarm company to support his wife (Beckinsale) and two kids. But his brother in law's actions force him back on the job when a drug run goes badly and he ends up owing resident bad guy, Briggs (Ribisi) $700k with only 2 weeks to pay.

Any Good? 

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur, Contraband is an action/thriller/remake of the 2008 Icelandic film Reykjavík-Rotterdam, which starred the very same man. Wahlberg does his very best bad boy in this one but, as ever he's the one we're rooting for. Contraband has an impressive cast, both in main characters and bit parts.  Giovanni Ribisi is the perfect choice for the affected, drawling criminal, terrorising the family, Ben Foster too as Walberg's recovering alcoholic smuggling parter with more on his plate than anyone knows. The only character I found miscast was Kate Beckinsale as the wife, she's completely lost and probably too big a name for this part.

The plot is simple and doesn't need to rely on consistent action to keep you entertained, subplots, scenery and occasional comedy are enough to keep up the pace yet once the action happens, it happens fast. The footage inside the freighter, on the Panama Canal and in Panama itself are expertly shot and edited just right to allow the twists and turns take you by surprise.  

While Contraband is not going to stay with you for any amount of time, it's an enjoyable evening out. A clever heist thriller with action enough to satisfy any regular cinema goer, it's not explosive but the acting alone is worth the watch. The more discerning amongst us will even spot an extra Wahlberg thrown in there. That makes it a Wahlberg twofer, what's not to love?

Opens in Irish cinemas March 16th. 

Rating:

Wanderlust Tickets Up for Grabs

Today, I'm delighted to announce, is the first day that I'll be working with the good folks of Universal Pictures Ireland to bring you exclusive content and competitions for some of the best movies and merchandise to hit Irish shores. (WHOOT)

First up, in association with Universal (it has a certain ring to it doesn't it?) I have four sets of tickets to see what looks like it could be one of the funniest films of late, Wanderlust.

I've two sets for the blog and two for Facebook  and all you've got to do is leave a comment telling me: Who would be the worst person/celebrity to meet at a nudist colony? (It'd have to be Inda Kenny for me *shudder*)

Leave your comment below and include the ID you use to follow the blog (GFC, Bloglovin etc) and I'll pick four winners next Thursday March 1st, the film opens on the 2nd). This is only open to Ireland unfortunately and under 18s, do please get permission to enter. 


Good Luck Everyone!