Film Now You See Me

Synopsis
An FBI agent and an Interpol detective track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the money.

Musings
Was really looking forward to seeing this but a little put off by the mixed reviews. Thankfully I was very pleasantly surprised. Great starry cast with an interesting mix of characters. Very pacy, exciting and interesting, especially if your interested in magic and how they do it. (They certainly don't give it all away which I was led to believe from some reviews.) The four illusionists are put together by a mysterious benefactor to pull off bank heists. I especially liked Woody Harrelson as the mentalist and Dave Franco (James Franco's brother) as the young hustler/pickpocket. Morgan Freeman was also very sharp as their pseudo nemesis. Michael Caine was taking the money and running for all the time he was on screen!! The script was snappy and the action slick. The only weak part was the end felt a little rushed and you felt short changed. however if you want a glitzy escapism film with fast paced action and a plot that will keep you guessing until the end this is for you.

The Big Wedding

Synopsis

A long-divorced couple fakes being married as their family unites for a wedding.

 

My musings

Big Wedding, Big Cast, Big Let Down

Started off great with big laugh out loud moment. It involved Robert De niro and Susan saran don 's legs!! But then got muddy, some ridiculous unbelievable situations Not sharp enough totally underused cast. Still enjoyed it seeing them all together on screen and beautiful setting. Should have thrown some old slapstick in with classic situations rather than make up some totally weird plots..eg virgin surgeon anyone?

 Nice afternoon film but don't go in with high expectations.

Its definitely not Something 's Gotta Give which was brilliant with Diane Keaton nd Jack Nicholson and also had an even more divine house!!

Oz The Great And Powerful

Synopsis
A small-time magician is swept away to an enchanted land and is forced into a power struggle between three witches.

My Musings

I know this was gongto be a little childish and that I wouldn't like some of the graphics that I had seen from the trailer but  I loved the monkey and china doll and thought the cast was great so thought what the heck!
I honestly don't know haow to review this film as a whol
James Franco put his all into Oz , Mila Kunis was surprisingly dark and suitably scary as the wicked witch as Michelle Williams so good possitively sickly as teh good witch
Rachel Weiz I thought didn't give enough welly, The monkey and doll were both adorable and lived up to expectation. I could have happily spent more time with both.

But the film as a whole was so......panto and not a good one. I felt like the only one to enjoy it fully was a 3year old. A Very expensive panto with non eof the double entendrs. To chocolate box sugary sweet. I didn't love or hate it just found it all very perplexing.

Oh well back to Wizard of Oz then.....

Memory of Lost Senses by Judith Kinghorn

Synopsis
When a mysterious countess arrives late in life to live at a large, deserted house on the edge of a sleepy Hampshire village, the local tongues start wagging. No one is more intrigued than Cecily Chadwick, idling away the long, hot summer of 1911 with nothing much to do. Cecily is fascinated by the exotic elderly lady and, as she gets to know her, is riveted by her tales of expatriate life on the continent, and of whom she once knew. But the countess is troubled: by her memories, her name, and by anonymous threats to reveal a ruinous secret... It is, she has decided, up to her close friend, a successful novelist who has come to stay for the summer, to put the record straight. For aspiring writer Cecily, the novelist's presence only adds to the intrigue and pull of the house. But it is the countess's grandson, Jack, his unanswered questions about his grandmother's past and his desire to know the truth, that draw Cecily further into the tangled web of the countess's life, and the place known as Temple Hill.


My Musings
I was really looking forward to the second book by the author of The Last Summer and wasn't disappointed. Memory of Lost Senses is complex and thought provoking with a myriad of strong characters and twists and turns to digest. It is not a book to glugged down in one sitting but more to be savoured.

It is a story of The Countess, Cora, her life, loves family and friends at the turn of the century.The description of the settings from British countryside to Paris and Rome are the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama in the lives of the main characters.  Thought provoking and thoughtful. It speaks of how scars from childhood can colour all aspects of our future and how well meaning friends can have far reaching effects. It is a tale of broken people, survival and kindred spirits. Curl up and enjoy!

If you like this you may like
Books
The Last Summer by Judith Kinghorn
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
The Light Behind the Window by Lucinda Riley

Tv
Downton Abbey
Brideshead Revisited

Films
Atonement
Wings of a Dove

Hitcock

Hitchock Synopsis

A love story between influential filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock and wife Alma Reville during the filming of Psycho in 1959.
My Musings
A really entertaining , witty and interesting film about Hitchcock , their relationship with his wife and the making of one of his biggest hit films, Psycho.
Hitchcock is played by Anthony Hopkins, unrecognisable in makeup and Helen Mirren his wife. Their sparring and wit was sparkling and the chemistry sizzled.
Scarlett Johansson  was perfectly cast as Janet Leigh and Michael Wincott as the real life 'psycho'. Talking of which I had no idea it had been based on  a true story and you should be warned there are a few horrifying descriptions of the actual case thrown in!
Please watch out for minor roles played by Toni Colette and a 'blink and you miss it' Ralph Macchio, formerly known as the Karate Kid.

Its a thoroughly entertaining slikc and interesting watch for those interested in holywwod tales of behind the scenes.