Everyone’s favourite marmalade sandwich-loving bear is back in the trailer for Paddington 2, due in UK cinemas this November.
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Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson join Paddington 2
Paddington 2 has begun filming and added Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson to the cast.
Continue reading Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson join Paddington 2
Get set for Paddington 2…and 3!
Film company StudioCanal have bought the rights to Paddington Bear – and announced not only are we getting a sequel to the highly successful film, we’re getting a sequel to the sequel!
Paddington 2 is on its way!
Best news ever: Paddington 2 is going to happen.
BAFTA confirm guests for Sunday’s awards
BAFTA have confirmed who we can expect to see in the red carpet and on the stage at Sunday’s Film Awards.
My top 10 films of 2014
It’s that time of year when everyone starts compiling their best of the year and I’m no exception! This is the list of MY top 10 films of 2014 – so it’s completely subjective and you probably don’t agree with me in any way. What is apparent is that I didn’t see as many films as usual this year (too much ‘proper’ work to do) and so I missed some of the film’s that I suspect are on other critics’ lists. Also, my list is for 2014 so it doesn’t include some of the films I’ve already seen that will be in UK cinemas in early 2015.
10. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
It’s tough for me to only place this at number 10 but I really don’t think it can go any higher. I do believe it’s the weakest of all six Middle-earth films and I was very underwhelmed the first time I saw it. However, on second viewing I enjoyed it much more. And both times I was brought to tears by the final 20 minutes. For that reason it squeaks in.
9. Get On Up
The James Brown biopic was released in the UK the same weekend as the new Hunger Games film and I think it therefore was missed by a lot of film fans. It shouldn’t have been. I hugely enjoyed the film which shows Brown warts and all – it doesn’t shy away from his darker side. Plus I thought Chadwick Boseman in the lead role was absolutely fantastic. It’s a shame he’s not getting more attention during awards season, he deserves it.
8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
Not much happens in the film, it’s busy setting everything up for what I imagine is going to be an all-guns-blazing finale, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Jennifer Lawrence once again carries the whole film, she’s really grown into the role of Katniss. And the scene when she sings ‘The Hanging Tree’ gave me goosebumps.
7. Guardians of the Galaxy
I went into Guardians with absolutely no expectations but I came out Hooked On A Feeling (sorry). I knew nothing about the story beforehand but I was completely carried away but the rollicking good story which was jam packed with humour. I’m really looking forward to the sequel. And I want a Baby Groot!
6. Chef
I bet you missed this at the cinema. Well go and find it on DVD! Jon Favreau directs and stars this tale of a man going through a major crisis. It’s a world away from the bombastic Iron Man films and that’s one of the things I loved about it. Plus the fantastic cast (including the cameos). Seriously, if you haven’t seen it please check it out!
5. 12 Years A Slave
It feels a bit strange including the Oscar-winning film but as I said at the start this is a review of films released in 2014. I saw it in October 2013 and it still haunts me now. Chiwetel Ejiofor is superb in the lead role and I thought his was a stronger performance than Best Actor winner Matthew McConaughey, plus Lupita N’yongo was a revelation as Patsy. I’ll be honest, it’s not a film I’ve watched a second time but it’s a film I feel is incredibly important and that’s why I rate it so highly.
4. The Imitation Game
Hands down the best Benedict Cumberbatch performance on film. While we all know the outcome of the main storyline (can they break the Enigma Code?) it’s still a thoroughly compelling story that draws you in. Cumberbatch is supported by an excellent cast, not least Keira Knightley who I think gives one of her best ever performances. It’s a fantastic British film and throughly deserves the recognition it’s been receiving.
3. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
I really wasn’t sure about this from the trailers. The apes are talking? Hmm. But after attending an early footage screening my interest was peaked. And the final film didn’t let me down. Once you get used to Caesar speaking it becomes quite normal and the relationships between the apes are really touching. Toby Kebbell gives Andy Serkis a run for his money in the mo-cap acting making Koba pretty terrifying in places. Is it better than the first film? I’d say yes. And I’d also say it’s time to five mo-cap actors the credit they’re due!
2. Pride
Oh what a joy of a film. I came to the Pride love-in a little late but now I’m thoroughly on board. It’s sweet, touching and laugh out loud funny. Who knew a story about a group of gay activists and Welsh miners could bring so much joy? The ensemble cast emits such a warmth that you just want to gather them all up in one great big hug. I loved it.
1. Paddington
Yes a film about a marmalade loving bear from Peru has topped my list of the best films of 2014. And I don’t care if you disagree because I told you this is MY choice. Paddington is a film that the whole family can enjoy. There’s plenty of slapstick for the little ones, laughs for the adults and a message for everyone. As Paddington says “I will never be like other people but that’s ok”. Well the 21st century Paddington is just like the bear we all grew up with. And you know what, I can’t wait for the sequel!
Best of British at BIFA Awards
The stars of British cinema will be out in London on Sunday night at the annual Moët British Independent Film Awards.
Emma Thompson and Benedict Cumberbatch are being honoured with special awards whilst drama 71 leads the nominations with nine followed by Pride with seven nods.
A whole who’s who of acting talent will be there including Alicia Vikander, Andrew Scott, Asa Butterfield, Anne Marie Duff, Bill Bailey, Charles Dance, Douglas Booth, George Mackay, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Helen Mirren, Jamie Sives, Jared Harris, Jodie Whittaker, Keira Knightley, Lesley Manville, Mark Strong, Max Irons, Maxine Peake, Mike Leigh, Olivia Colman, Rafe Spall, Sally Hawkins, Stanley Tucci, Timothy Spall and Tom Hollander.
The awards are being hosted by Simon Bird of The Inbetweeners and this year you can watch them live on YouTube – or below!
Paddington – film review
When I read there were plans for a big screen outing for Paddington Bear I was worried. I grew up watching the BBC’s version of Paddington and I took the little bear to my heart. What if the modern-day CGI version ruined Michael Bond’s creation?
I needn’t have worried. The 21st century version of Paddington is a joy to behold. Director Paul King and producer David Heyman (of Harry Potter fame) have brought the fun and spirit of both the books and the TV series to their film.
The story begins in Darkest Peru where Paddington’s Aunt Lucy and Uncle Pastuzo are discovered by ‘the explorer’. From him they develop a love of the English language (spoken perfectly properly), London and (of course) Marmalade. Cut to 40 years later and Lucy and Pastuzo have adopted their orphaned nephew. Theirs is an idyllic life of marmalade making and dreaming of a trip to London. But when disaster strikes, Lucy decides to move into a home for retired bears and Paddington stows away on a ship to London because, as Aunt Lucy tells him, Londoners “will not have forgotten how to treat a stranger”.
Paddington’s ship finally docks in London (the passage of time is illustrated by how many jars of marmalade he’s eaten) and through a series of events the young bear finds himself at Paddington station where he hopes to make friends and find a new home. Of course this is London and Londoners don’t talk to anyone, except for Mrs Brown who takes pity on Paddington (watch out for the lovely Lost And Found moment) much to the annoyance of her risk assessor husband and daughter Judy, who finds everything so embarrassing.
After supplying her new friend with a name, Mrs Brown offers him a bed for the night and Paddington hopes he’s found his new home. But that may not be the case after he manages to destroy the family’s bathroom almost immediately. After Paddington tells the Browns the story of ‘the explorer’, Mrs Brown sets out to help the young bear to track him down and maybe find his new home. The plot also involves Natural History taxidermist Millicent – Nicole Kidman at her wicked best – who has her own reasons for getting to know Paddington.
The film features a great cast with Hugh Bonneville the human stand out as Mr Brown. I also loved Peter Capaldi’s turn as the Brown’s neighbour Mr Curry who develops something of a crush on Millicent. In fact, one of my few criticisms is that I would have liked to have seen him a bit more! Julie Walters as the Browns’ housekeeper Mrs Bird gets one big scene and there are also cameos from the likes of Matt Lucas, Matt King (Peep Show’s Super Hans) and Jim Broadbent as the kindly Mr Gruber who tells Paddington “a home is more than just a roof over your head”.
But the real star of the show here are the film’s effects. It’s not just the work done on the bear, there are so many scenes that will take your breath away: the jungle in Peru, Paddington’s visit to the Geographers’ Guild archives, even the painted tree on the wall in the Browns’ hallway, the beauty of the effects work is just astonishing, Paddington himself is realised with such care and love – every strand of his fur is visible, the animators have him flying through the air, skateboarding behind a bus and even having a Mission: Impossible moment (complete with theme tune). I truly forgot I was watching a computer generated creature. Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington is pitch perfect and I do think he suits the role much better than original choice Colin Firth. The little bear makes you laugh like a drain but also pulls at your heartstrings.
To sum it up, Paddington is a film that the whole family can enjoy. There’s plenty of slapstick for the little ones, laughs for the adults and a message for everyone. As Paddington says “I will never be like other people but that’s ok”. Well the 21st century Paddington is just like the bear we all grew up with. Thank you Paul King and David Heyman for staying true to the bear we all love. Now, when is Paddington 2 out?
Paddington premiere
Nicole Kidman, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Michael Gambon, Julie Walters and Keyvan Novak will walk the red carpet at the world premiere of Paddington on November 23.
They’ll also be joined on the red carpet by the little bear’s creator Michael Bond.
The premiere takes place at the Odeon Leicester Square.
Meanwhile Jim Broadbent, Rafe Spall, Jodie Whittaker, Warwick Davis and Dasher the Reindeer will attend the London premiere of Get Santa on November 30.
