Synopsis: Based on the short Stephen King horror story of the same name, 1408 surrounds supernatural writer Mike Enslin, an author of two hit books focusing on supernatural phenomena. As research for his latest book, Enslin is determined to check out the notorious room 1408 in a New York City hotel by personally staying as a guest in the fabled room. With the intention that 1408 is just a myth perpetuated by stories and rumor that Enslin has collected for his past works. However, hotel manager Mr. Olin has strong objections to Enslin’s stay and only warns him of possible danger to come. But Enslin is determined to go through and convinced that the horrific past of 1408 is just mere coincidence and a myth. But what Mike Enslin is about to experience is no myth, as 1408 truly is a room where the guests don’t check out by noon.

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Conclusion: This is a corker, I think I’ve stayed in this room! It’s a great story, with twists and turns, highs and low’s – a true rollercoaster. Just when you’ve got it figured out there’s another twist; Stephen King you’re a genius. See it!

Synopsis: The last time we saw Evan Baxter (Steve Carell), he was being tormented by rival Bruce Nolan onscreen, live from their Buffalo TV station. But as time passed and Evan has made up with Bruce, he’s gone onto bigger and better things. Newly elected to Washington D.C. as a congressman, Evan has left Buffalo, New York in pursuit of a greater calling. But that calling isn’t serving in the illustrious ranks of America’s politics, but being summoned by the Almighty himself (Morgan Freeman), who has handed Evan the task of building a new ark, much as Noah did before. With time passing by and his family belittled by Evan’s newfound realization, Evan will have to do the work that God has given him in what promises to be an unusual adventure for a man who just wanted to serve his country, might actually be serving humanity.

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Conclusion: Yeah, it was a fun movie, although not realy to my taste – good for a wet afternoon (which it was – how ironic was that!) – good for DVD, not BIG enough for the cinema.

Synopsis: The animated feature, Surfs Up started with a unique premise. It is partially a narrative story, and partially a mockumentry. I dont see many animated features, since I have no vocally gifted, but self-control challenged ankle biters in my home to gently persuade me to make that kind of movie choice. Its not an unpleasant 85 minutes. It starts slow, but soon offers some absolutely amazing water CGI, a few classic tunes and a decent story, that is interesting enough, but could have used some punching up in the humour department.

Shia LaBeouf (Disturbia) provides the voice of Cody Maverick, a young penguin who dreams of winning the biggest penguin surfing competition of the year. His pursuit of this goal is the chosen subject of documentary makers who interview, him, his friends and surfing fans along the way. This is kinda cool, but also a disturbing celebration of our media/fame-obsessed culture, but what the hell, its just a kids movie. Anyway, in his travels, he hooks up with a surfing chicken (voice by Jon Heder), is smitten by a beautiful, penguin lifeguard (Zooey Deschanel) and finds both an enemy (Bader) and a mentor (Bridges, who is great, sorta reprising his Dude character) and passes on the message that we should do what we love, because we love it, not because we want to win at it.

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Conclusion: Yeah, it was fun! There was no singing, or dancing (mentioned in the introduction by Cody) which was a plus point for a start! It’s a touching tale of a little brother that is picked upon by his brother; he so wants to be like his hero "Z", and takes the oppertunity to travel to the tropic’s to take part in a surfing competition. It’s here he learns true values…

Synopsis: Harry returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts and discovers that much of the wizarding community is in denial about the teenager’s recent encounter with the evil Lord Voldemort, preferring to turn a blind eye to the news that Voldemort has returned. Fearing that Hogwarts’ venerable Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, is lying about Voldemort’s return in order to undermine his power and take his job, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, appoints a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to keep watch over Dumbledore and the Hogwarts students. But Professor Dolores Umbridge’s Ministry-approved course of defensive magic leaves the young wizards woefully unprepared to defend themselves against the dark forces threatening them and the entire wizarding community, so at the prompting of his friends Hermione and Ron, Harry takes matters into his own hands. Meeting secretly with a small group of students who name themselves “Dumbledore’s Army,” Harry teaches them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead.

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Conclusion: Well they were saying it was one of the darkest – it’s true it was, most if it was in darkness, literally.

Harry’s come a long way since we met him living under the stairs; he’s got his own room now! And he’s growing up with his first "sloppy" kiss (ugh). The story works well, and we see a lot more of the Ministry this time – but to be honest, it’s all becoming much the same – glad #6 is the last (no really)..

Sysnopsis: A long time ago, far away on the planet of Cybertron, a war was being waged between the noble Autobots (led by the wise Optimus Prime) and the devious Decepticons (commanded by the dreaded Megatron) for control over the Allspark, a mystical talisman that would grant unlimited power to whoever possessed it.

The Autobots managed to smuggle the Allspark off the planet, but Megatron blasted off in search of it. He eventually tracked it to the planet of Earth (circa 1850), but his reckless desire for power sent him right into the Arctic Ocean, and the sheer cold forced him into a paralyzed state. His body was later found by Captain Archibald Witwicky, and before going into a comatose state Megatron used the last of his energy to engrave a map, showing the location of the Allspark, into the Captain’s glasses, and send a transmission to Cybertron. He is then carted away by the Captain’s ship.

A century later, Sam Witwicky, nicknamed Spike by his friends, buys his first car. To his shock, he discovers it to be Bumblebee, an Autobot in disguise who is to protect Spike, as he bears the Captain’s glasses and the map carved on them. But Bumblebee is not the only Transformer to have arrived on Earth – in the desert of Qatar, the Decepticons Blackout and Scorponok attack a U.S. military base, causing the Pentagon to send their special Sector Seven agents to capture all "specimens of this alien race," and Spike and his girlfriend Mikaela find themselves in the middle of a grand battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons, stretching from Hoover Dam all the way to Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, within the depths of Hoover Dam, the cryogenically stored form of Megatron awakens…

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Conclusion: What can I say – it was truely worth the wait. It’s not just a kids film, it’s a full action CGI spectacular. The Tranformers have come of age. I dare you to watch this firm, and not come out secretly wishing your car was some kind of guardian Transformer robot (see BeetleBot below).

*** Best SCI-FI movie of the year so far…

At my favourite cinema in sunny Croydon awaiting the start of the Transformers Movie. Shame its in one of their smaller screens.

1408 movie sounds good

Life size Simpson family at Vue Cinema, Purley Way…
Synposys: When Homer mistakenly pollutes the river with toxic waste from his "Pig Crap" silo, he causes the EPA to encase Springfield in a glass dome, and must save them before President Schwarzenegger gives the order for the town to be destroyed.

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Conclusion: Well, imagine your typical Simpsons episode – but stretched out to 86 minutes. It’s great, it’s fun, plenty of visual comedy and fun surprises… See it if you are a fanatical Simpsons fan otherwise wait for the video — oh and wait through the credits at the end there are some fun clips to watch.

Synopsis: The enigmatic, intergalactic herald, The Silver Surfer, comes to Earth to prepare it for destruction. As the Silver Surfer races around the globe wreaking havoc, Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben must unravel the mystery of the Silver Surfer and confront the surprising return of their mortal enemy, Dr. Doom, before all hope is lost.

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Conclusion: I’ve heard people say.. "the effects were cheap, spent all the money on the sufer", yeah I can see that at times, particulally with Reed on the dance floor – but hey do we go to the flicks for the effects or the story?

It was good in my opinion, the surfer charcter was played well, as was all the other characters – quite funny seeing Stan Lee playing himself this time. I really enjoyed the film, a lot more than Pirates last week… but as always, the choice is yours.

Synopsis: Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) are allied with Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) in a desperate quest to free Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from his mind-bending trap in Davy Jones’ locker, while the terrifying ghost ship, The Flying Dutchman and Davy Jones, under the control of the East India Trading Company, wreaks havoc across the Seven Seas. Navigating through treachery, betrayal and wild waters, they must forge their way to exotic Singapore and confront the cunning Chinese Pirate Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat). Now headed beyond the very ends of the earth, each must ultimately choose a side in a final, titanic battle, as not only their lives and fortunes, but the entire future of the freedom-loving Pirate way, hangs in the balance.

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Conclusion: Meh! Ok, watching Johnny Depp camp it up was funny in the 1st, marginal on the 2nd – 3rd… yawn… There was plenty of action – lots of swash-buckling, and boy did it go on… and on… 2hrs 45mins it… went on… believe me you need a break half way through…

Synopsis: Peter Parker has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to M.J. and his duties as a superhero. But there is a storm brewing on the horizon. When his suit suddenly changes, turning jet-black and enhancing his powers, it transforms Peter as well, bringing out the dark, vengeful side of his personality that he is struggling to control. Under the influence of the suit, Peter becomes overconfident and starts to neglect the people who care for him most. Forced to choose between the seductive power of the new suit and the compassionate hero he used to be, Peter must overcome his personal demons as two of the most-feared villains yet, Sandman and Venom, gather unparalleled power and a thirst for retribution to threaten Peter and everyone he loves.

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Conclusion: An enjoyable film, it had its ups and downs (don’t they all?) but I thought to myself half way through… "this is going on a bit" but hey, now I know it was saving it up for the end..

Spiderman had his work cut out this time with 3 villain’s. Venom was excellent, an accurate representation if not quite the bulked up creature I was expecting. Sandman also an excellent reproduction. Goblin Jr made the third villain with an interesting twist.

I would recommend you see it, but bear with it through the middle, and you’re in for a treat.

Just one last note, I think this must hold the record for the biggest number of people crying in the film – you’ll know the bit when you see it.