Film of the Week: The Commuter

Some people have compared this to Taken on a train. I can see the similarities, but they’re subtle enough to not really be comparable to Taken. I see The Commuter as a simple action thriller that allows us to focus on it all instead of having so many elements it’s hard to really take it all in properly during the first viewing.

The film sets up Liam Neeson’s character well, by exploring his day to day routine over the course of ten years, working at an insurance company, providing for his family, watching his son grow up. Then, one day, he’s fired, for no reasonable explanation. Now on this particularly depressing train trip home, he’s faced with the task of having to tell his wife and son that he no longer has a job. But that’s not the most difficult task he’ll be facing today. A mysterious woman sits across from him, proposes a “hypothetical” question and then disappears.

This question turns out to be a true scenario, and it’s for a reward as well, one that he takes up, and discovers he gotten himself into something he shouldn’t have. The woman phones him up, lets him know what to do and what not to do, proves a point, and then makes the stakes higher by threatening his wife and son.

That element of the film, I can see bears some similarity with Taken, as it does involve his family, but they’re not really Taken in any sense of the word. They’re just threatened. He doesn’t know what’s happening and so therefore has to carry out the task given.

The entire film is set on a train, and ends in only one carriage. With the set being simplistic, the characters not plentiful, I was able to focus on the story and the main character, and those people so unwillingly involved in the task. The action sequences are limited, and are mainly fistfights with the occasional hand held weapon, but that doesn’t take away from the film in the slightest. It’s an enjoyable, intense, thrilling, journey through and through.

I do recommend the film if you don’t want to focus on something heavy. Liam Neeson performs well throughout, shows a good range of emotion. His character does have a few instances where I can see resembles Taken in some way, when he’s investigating who shouldn’t be on the train, but in a good way, ever since Taken came out and those famous words were spoken, in these action thriller films, Liam Neeson has essentially played a version of that character ever since. That doesn’t matter, because that’s still entertaining. It’s not in any way Taken, so it shouldn’t be dubbed. He has showed some incredible diversity though, with his voice acting role in A Monster Calls, and The Narnia Franchise, and of course, probably his most famous film in his career, The Schindlers List. 

Thanks for reading
Antony Hudson
(TonyHadNouns)

Mum's Monday: Father of the Bride – part 2

WARNING SPOILERS

This film, starts off, pretty much, like the first film, George Banks (Steve Martin), talking to the camera about his family’s life over last past year. The film again is a flashback, but this time, instead of a wedding, it is an insight into his, what can only be described as a ‘mid-life crisis’, with 2 added additions to the family and a possible move to Boston.

It is fun to watch George’s reaction to the ‘big news’, it is over the top, but in keeping with what George aka Grandpa, does best. Yet again Nina (Diane Keaton) has to keep the peace.

An amusing part to watch, is when Annie’s brother, Matty (Kieran Culkin) explains that he is going to be a 12-year-old uncle. He made some good and fun points, but it only served to push George’s point home more. It is nice to see Nina, thrilled, someone has to stay rational.

If ever there was a film, that shows, acting in haste, and repenting at leisure, this is it. As we soon find out

True to form George’s reaction to Nina’s ‘big news’ is amusing to watch.

The coincidence of, running into Franck Eggelhoffer (Martin Short) and his assistant, at the doctor’s office is a bit of a stretch, but it is nice to see him back

It is good to see something actually working out well for George, even though, he first came face to face with a wrecking ball and he is now $100,000 out of pocket.

Seeing George in a good mood, leads to a few heart-warming surprises for the mums to be.

However, just when we thought ‘Boston’ was forgotten, it becomes an issue again.

It is nice to see, George warming to Franck, and it is lovely to see, what Franck does at the house all day. It is also great to see George compliment Franck’s work.

You know what they say ‘best laid plans’, but sleeping pills change things and Franck is left to get everyone in the car and make the drive to the hospital, with amusing consequences.

A conveniently, placed wheel chair, and a sleepy George, makes for funny scenes, with him being taken for a prostate examination.

It is good to see George and Franck step up when both babies could have the same birthday, what are the chances, in this film it seemed inevitable.

The film, soon becomes serious and it is lovely to see Bryan Mackenzie (George Newbern) Annie’s husband, turn up just in time, to be with Annie, so George could be with Nina.

And now we come to the reason I bought Father of the Bride films 1 and 2, throughout both films George plays basketball with Annie in their yard. Now she is leaving to work in Boston, with her husband and baby son. This is ok, because she is leaving her mum and dad and her new born sister with a going away present, a baby sized miniature basketball, a heart-warming and appropriate ending to 2 feel good films, showing the lives of the Banks’ Mackenzie family.

Jerry's Journal: Coming Home

Last week, Jerry went on his first holiday to White House Farm Kennels and Cattery from Saturday 19th May 2018, to Monday 21st May 2018, and they said he was a good boy throughout. We gave him a special treat when he got home - a whole sausage from the butchers to himself, and he loved it.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Film of the Week: Deadpool 2

It’s bigger than the first one. It was immediately apparent there was a lot of money pumped into the production of this film, especially during the parody of opening sequences of James Bonds, with the song Ashes, sung by Céline Dion. The question therefore is, just because they went bigger, does it mean it’s either just as good as the first, if not, better.

The simple answer is, it’s about the same. They went bigger because the first film’s success allowed them to. They were able to ramp up everything. Sometimes, trying to go better than the first film doesn’t necessary work, but with Deadpool, it most definitely works.

Deadpool is unique in so many ways. It took them ten years for the first film to finally be made. They played it safe and went simple. They gave exactly what the audience had been waiting so patiently for, and it was an absolute success. Of course the studio grew confident with giving the film a bigger budget, allowing them incorporate an incredible amount. With Deadpool’s distinctive characterisation, and with so much to explore throughout his comic book run, there was so much that could be done, preventing its increase in size from ruining the film. It’s still goofy, it’s still Deadpool doing what he does best – breaking the fourth wall, making references that we, the audience understand whilst the other characters stare in confusion. They took the simplicity of Deadpool’s characterisation from the first movie and built a much larger film set with plenty of special effects around him – and that’s what makes this film a tonne of fun.

Deadpool 2 is funny throughout, making jokes about sequels over the years, along with many other pop culture references. It’s entertaining, and there is a lot that I wasn’t expecting. There’s a decent amount of development on Deadpool’s part. At the beginning he describes this movie as a family film, and he wasn’t lying. This is about Deadpool, who sees himself as an outcast, learns that there are people who care about him, and subsequently, learns he can care for someone else as well. He becomes a hero he never believed he could be – whilst still being the anti-hero, trigger happy, always-out-of-control Merc with a Mouth.

During the early stages of this film, Tim Miller, the director of the first film had creative differences over the sequel. He wanted to keep it as simple as the first, which I can understandably see, because why attempt to go bigger when you know what works. Why try and fix something that wasn’t broken. Ryan Reynolds wanted to go bigger, and so the two split. Tim left the project, to be replaced by David Leitch. Unfortunately for Tim, I have to disagree with keeping it simple. Whilst it is extremely easy to ruin a project by attempting to go bigger, Ryan had the confidence to do so. Going bigger was the only way to give the audience more of what they wanted. They wanted Cable, and so they go Cable. They wanted more X-men, they go more X-men. If they tried to go as big as they did for the sequel for the first film, I can see it possibly not ticking all the right boxes. The development of the two films is perfect. Simplicity to make the audience happy. Bigger to keep them happy. They’ve been waiting since Wolverine: Origins for a decent representation of Deadpool, it would be completely foolish to do anything different.

In conclusion, Deadpool 2 gives us all the laughs we expected, and so much more. It thankfully panders to the audience, and that is the reason why it’s just as good as the first one. It’s not better than the first film, because Deadpool is who he is, it would be wrong to change or add anything to the character. All that was done was putting the character we see in the first film in a bigger set piece and let essentially let him do what he does best – with a much more fleshed out character arc; that’s the one thing that’s better than the first film.

I do highly recommend Deadpool 2.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

P.S. This review has been approved by Deadpool.

Mum's Monday: Thunderbirds Are Go (1966)

Considering this is a, movie extension of a children’s puppet show, the set and the models are well done and are very realistic.

The film is set in the 21^st century, based around the first manned mission to land on the planet Mars, it is a strong storyline.

The rocket, called Zero-X, when it takes off like an aeroplane, it is very much, futuristic thinking, in the script.

What could go wrong? Sabotage maybe. With it being a futuristic children’s puppet film, although, they keep it in the realms of realism, there is still the scope and free will with artistic licence to put in all sorts of helpful technology.

We see that you cannot argue with 862 pages, so yes I agree, have International Rescue at the next launch attempt. Although it is against their rules, it is nice to see them willing to be there and do their bit.

It is nice to see something being done to prevent anyone being in grave danger before the possibility they are.

The cross between human hands and puppet hands are seamless and works when it is necessary for carrying out small finger sized tasks.

This film could, so easily been the Thunderbirds going out on rescue after rescue like on the T.V. show, but it is refreshing and unique for a film, that they are helping with a big launch event in space exploration.

However, it wouldn’t be Thunderbirds, without some sort of action and suspense, so it is good to know they agreed to be there. Although lady Penelope (Voiced by Sylvia Anderson) and Parker (Voiced by David Graham), have a big hand in assisting them.

I also agree with Penelope, when her and Parker see Zero-X in flight and she says ‘What a magnificent site’, it is impressive.

Alan’s dream scenes, are strange and weird, but it is a dream after all, so where there seems no point of it in the film I do see where they were going with it and it sets the scenes for the Band and added bonus of the catchy song sung by the character Cliff Richard Junior (Voiced by Cliff Richard himself) the lyrics are perfect for the film.

After 6 weeks in the film, it is nice to hear some good news, this film however, is dated, as in the film the planet Mars has been set out and modelled in a very different way to what we know of the planet, today.

They make a very good point of not just focusing on life as we know it, high-lighting, to be aware of other types of Alien life form.

It is good to see International Rescue, being kept informed of Zero-X’s progress.

The landing scenes of Zero-X, kept me on the edge of my seat, hoping they would all land safely. It is a shame about the small town though, but the special effects are well done.

‘Thunderbirds Are Go’

This film is F.A.B

Jerry's Journal: Packing For His Holiday

Saturday was a very big day for Jerry. It was his first ever holiday. He helped us pack his toys and posed excitedly for his big adventure. He is staying at White House Farms Kennels and Cattery for two nights and will be picked up Monday evening. 

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Mum's Monday: Sabrina the Teenage Witch

WARNING SPOILERS

This program shows, that if we had magical powers, you cannot ‘Just do magic’. There are consequences, which is a realistic view on being a witch, living in the real world, they call ‘The mortal realm’. Also where we have to answer to the law/police, witches have to answer to ‘The witches’ council’. One example of how the council works is Salaam Saberhagen (Voiced by Nick Bakay) Sabrina Spellman’s (Melissa Joan Hart) uncle, he is now a talking cat, having been turned into one as a punishment, by the council, after trying to take over the mortal world, which he does again and again throughout some episodes any chance he gets.

The first episode is really funny, when Sabrina finds out she is a witch on her 16^th birthday and is trying to learn from her aunt Zelda (Beth Broderick) and her aunt Hilda (Caroline Rhea) on how to turn an orange into an apple. Sabrina turns it into a pineapple. We see throughout the seasons more brilliant play on words and these are well written and amusing to watch. Later on in the episode, we see what they do with all the pineapples, as they inundated with them. 3 upside down cakes are seen on the table in one scene.

Sabrina is a teenager so goes to school, being set in a school environment we see all the ups and downs, that come with school, from friends, boyfriend as in Harvey Kinkle (Nate Richert) and bullies. We see what being a witch is like in a real school is really like. Sometimes magic can be used to teach someone a lesson, in this case Libby Chessler (Jenna Leigh Green). Libby, a popular cheer leader picks on Sabrina, so it was nice to see Sabrina getting the upper hand and it is nice to see Libby have the tables turned on her now and again.

We see in an episode, with the aunts, having lived for centuries, they have amassed quite a collection of processions, including Hilda’s cannon. When finding a use for it, you can easy enough, if only to get a teenager to tidy her room and to stop the kid from next door throwing water bombs at your house. This is cleverly done and fun to watch.

Another item Hilda has to find a use for, is a mace, next we see her using it as a handy kitchen tool and tenderising meat with it. This is the best use for it and a genius solution.

In one episode we see Sabrina wanting to enter a Kung Fu competition, she should have entered by her own talent and not use her magical powers. This is explained in the episode and a good moral lesson to learn.

We see some great spells being used during episodes, one, a great hex, if you don’t want people borrowing your clothes, is to set the ‘Booby trap’ spell and another to see if a person has eaten all her veg the ‘Bring back’ spell. These have been cleverly worked out and amusing to watch.

It is inevitable that with Sabrina having friends and inviting them over to her house, they at some point will find themselves in the ‘Other Realm’. This is the place the witches come from through the linen closet. Each time something strange happened to her friends, the explanation is used ‘you were dreaming’. Her friends dreaming whilst asleep, this is a good way of explain it away, if however, a little obvious. 

Because Hilda and Zelda have lived for centuries, Hilda finds a nude picture of Zelda. In the form of a postcard, of an old painting in an art gallery and purchases it to put on the fridge. This is so funny to see, a brilliant script.

Being a witch has its advantages, like when you have some left over hair growth formula, you quickly find out who ate some of the food it was put in.

A down side, if a witch sneezes whilst casting a spell, who knows where a history book could end up. Not convenient, when you need it for school.

There are a few life lessons to be learnt, 1 is, it is not what you look like bald that you need to wear a wig, it is accepting that you are bald and being who you are on the inside.

When Sabrina has to accept her father’s new girlfriend after her parents’ divorce, the script was realistic and Sabrina’s reaction was typical for a teenager who didn’t want her parents to move on.

We see little snippets of funny things in episodes, one example is, who’d have thought lint swatches could be so much fun – well maybe not. But these little things make some episodes entertaining to see and gives the story a solid fun depth.

Another great episode includes, diverting a train, not realising that it has to go somewhere, only to end up in the Spellman’s living room. This proves there are consequences to actions, a fun lesson to learn.

Ever wondered why car alarms go off, for no apparent reason, well, season 2 episode ‘A Dolls Story’ might just answer that question, magical powers maybe behind it.

Season 3 the episode ‘Suspicious Minds’ when Libby pairs herself up with Harvey, for an assignment, Sabrina gets jealous and goes to hire a private eye, but she goes to the other realm to find one. so this is not your normal private eye office. As soon as Sabrina walks into the office, the scenes turn to black and white with a narrator telling off what is going on over the top. This is fantastic to see, like the old fashioned TV and films. There is a problem though Roland (Phil Fondacaro) has a thing for Sabrina and doesn’t actually help her.

It is unusual, for just before an episode, that it is the parents that gets the warning, I’m not surprised, hearing the words ‘I’m a Molly Dolly’ can fill anyone with fear, after seeing this one.

Once Sabrina has her witches licence, this is a clever concept for a witch to have a licence, as it limits the havoc they could cause (a lot more than already shown in the episodes) and it allows the witches to live in plain sight in the mortal realm, this adds depth and realism to already believable and solid storylines in a fun way, although she cannot actually use her licence until she has learnt the family secret. This is a great opportunity to bring in new characters, in the form of family members to each give her a clue to the secret.

In one episode, season 3 episode ‘The Big Sleep’. It is surprising to see what Hilda bought at a yard sale for 75 cents, a full sized, fully functioning fork lift, this is so funny to watch and to prove it was worth it to Zelda she got a free farmers hat with it, that Hilda proudly wears, whilst manoeuvring her newly made purchase around their small yard.

I love the line in an episode in season 3 ‘Sabrina and the Sandman’ “It is not eavesdropping; it is controlled overhearing” the line sums up some situations brilliantly, when we cannot help but over hear something.

Sabrina’s aunts insist, that she solves the family secret quickly, but to light a fire under a man dressed as a cone seems a bit too much, but amusing to watch all the same, and we are seeing how witches do things.

Season 3 episode ‘Silent Movie’. This is cleverly put together, even though the reason it came about is a little flimsy. Saying that casting 2 silent spells under one roof caused a silent movie to be played out, seems a little stretched, maybe the script could have had a little more of a reason in it.

In the last episode of season 3, Sabrina finally solves the family secret and gets to use her licence. The secret is worked out well in the script and after a few ‘edge of your seat’ scenes, everything works out in the end. A great episode.

Season 4 sees things get a makeover. This keeps the show fresh and revitalised.

During an episode there is a fantastic line said by Salaam, after Zelda, has asked him, if he had anything to do with the war on Pluto. Salaam replies “Define anything?”. A great come back and clearly Salaam has been up to no good again.

The actors in this program have to be versatile and when Principal Willard Kraft (Martin Mull) is as good a dancer as Britney Spears (Herself) we forget that it is the actual actor dancing and not an actual spell. All the actors are versatile and we see other examples throughout, off the characters having to act out the spell that has been cast. The actors all have an amazing talent and the program benefits from it, in a way that makes it believable.

A character that keeps popping up with different jobs, is Roland, we see him again and not only has he, still got a thing for Sabrina, he wants to, now, marry her. A step up from an infatuation and character growth.

In season 4 episode ‘Welcome Back’ Duke (Dick Van Dyke) is clever casting in this one, Sabrina has to dance and Duke shows her some moves, and as we know Dick Van Dyke is a great dancer.

In the episode ‘Salaam’s Daughter’, planning a wedding can be a stressful time, but I bet the script writers had fun planning an, other realm wedding. They were clever in including other realm traditions, all in keeping with a wedding in the mortal realm. It was so amusing to see it all come together.

The episode ‘The Wild Wild Witch’ we see an insight in to teenage witch rebellion, when Sabrina blows the roof of the house. A step up from your normal teenage mood swings. This adds to the quality of the program. Showing that even if you are a witch, a teenager is still a teenager, with an added layer. It is nice to see she is a normal teenager underneath.

Season 5 sees things ramp up even more, when Sabrina enters a new chapter in her life and starts college. I am glad Sabrina made the choice that made her happy and not trying to please everyone.

As so often happens, it is typical, when Sabrina thinks she can cope on her own in the big wide world, of college, it is still nice to see, that she still needs her aunts help.

Not only has Sabrina started college she has a new job in her aunt Hilda’s coffee shop and a new boyfriend, Josh (David Lascher). Josh gets a bit ahead of himself when he sells a photo for a lot of money. It is Sabrina’s fault as she cast a spell. It would have been nice to see Josh sell his first photo for the genuine 50 dollars he was offered for another one. unfortunately, Sabrina trying to help, once again got in the way. A good lesson to learn, selling one photo for a 1000 dollars, doesn’t set you up for life. Luckily Hilda knew that Sabrina was in the wrong.

An episode in season 5 ‘Tick Tock Hilda’s Clock’ a great example of play on words and witches being partly human. Hilda’s biological clock goes missing and Hilda being a witch her mood swings are not as, well normal as any fully human female.

In the episode ‘Sabrina the Muse’, when Hilda and Zelda acquire a day pass, to the other side, where they can see, what they have to look forward to after they die. Hilda loves it but Zelda is not so sure. This is a great interpretation of what can happen when we pass away.

In ‘Beach Blanket Bizarro’, when looking for a magical ‘Spring Break’, she wasn’t expecting a 1960s movie. Brilliant idea and fantastically done and just good clean fun.

A pattern in some episodes is that the ‘literal’ is portrayed, in a witch’s world. One example when Sabrina is down and has a black cloud hanging over her head. She has an actual black cloud hanging over her head.

Season 6 episode 1 ‘Really Big Season Opener’, yes it is really big and a lesson to learn also. When you put an advert in the newspaper, be careful you don’t get exactly what you ask for, they may want to drink your casts blood. You ask for a vampire; you may just get one.

Episode ‘Murder on the Halloween Express’ left me feeling that Harvey and Sabrina should get back together. Harvey knows Sabrina is a witch and helping her in the episode ‘Deliver us from E-Mail’, is lovely to see, reinforcing the thought that they should get back together. Harvey acts so natural around her, it is so nice to see. 

In the episode ‘The Competition’ it is great to see Hilda and Zelda tapping into a teaching method, that the person they are teaching, in this case Amanda (Emily Hart), so that she can get the most out of the lesson.

Season 7 sees a few changes. Sabrina’s internship has ended, she has a new job and living back at her aunt’s house with her just her college mates and Salaam. It is strange to see Salaam living with mortals, and it creates not so much fun for him and it turns out you can train a cat.

The episodes at the beginning of season 7 seem shorter, either that I just didn’t want a good thing to end, it is good to progress in Sabrina’s life.

Sabrina is using less and less magic, but that can be a good thing, she is using it responsibly and solving other, day to day problems more like a normal mortal would.

In the episode ‘Sabrina Unplugged’, it is so good to see Harvey help her out again, it is good to see his natural reactions, when confronted with an enhanced Sabrina.

In the episode ‘Witch Way Out’ being a witch means you always have a coat handy, an example of a bonus of having magical powers. a funny line said by Harvey they are in the USA and he says “I wonder if we will have a Canadian president” a clever slip up. And it is good to see Sabrina went back to her normal self by the end- well almost.

‘Present Perfect’ proves that making mistakes is what makes up a person’s true personality and people might actually prefer a person making mistakes, because you learn from them.

In the episode ‘Spellmanian Slip’, this proves you should always take notice of the label on food. A funny part in an episode called ‘Fish Tale’, Great Aunt Irma (Barbara Eden) drops in a gives her blessing for Sabrina to marry Harvey and to prove her point she uses magic and saps him in. he was on a treadmill, when she saps him back to where he came from he rolls/falls back off the moving treadmill. Sabrina wasn’t going to marry Harvey but, Aaron Jacobs (Dylan Neal), or does she.

I am so glad it all works out in the end, even if it was a tear jerker- tears of happiness, and who have thought that 12.36pm could mean so much.

Sabrina Goes to Rome – TV movie

Sabrina arrives in Rome, the idea to get her there is a strong one, although 400 years compared to 2 weeks is a stretch. However, I can see where the story is going. The aerial shots over Rome are spectacular and adds to the movie, along with the music in a positive way. Parts of the film made me want to shout “No Sabrina Don’t” at the TV, but then it turns out to be heart-warming, but then history appears to be repeating itself, only to turn out right in the end, after she had a bit of fun first. It is a shame Harvey wasn’t in it, the film with a few minor changes would have still worked out just as well, if he was in it.

Jerry's Journal: Enjoying the Sun

During the Bank Holiday last week, whilst dad was working on the bike, Jerry was enjoying the sun. There were plenty of people walking to and fro, which he was able to say hello to them all. 

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Film of the Week: Avengers: Infinity War

Warning: Heavy spoilers

Where do I begin? Whether you believe Marvel was under a lot of pressure to get this movie right or not, they certainly built a massive and epic film. We didn’t know it way back in 2008 when Iron Man was released in cinemas, but upon seeing the first trailer, there was still this notion we all had been waiting patiently for ten years for this.

For 10 years and 18 films, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has grown to be the biggest franchise in history, with films grossing 1 billion worldwide. They built their universe slowly but surely, introducing new characters with their own solo movie during the first phrase, before the big collaboration in the 2012 The Avengers. During phrase 2, they were more confident and relaxed with the whole premise, and so started doing subtle crossovers with the characters. Avengers: Age of Ultron might have been a little convoluted at times, with so much to pay off, set up and fulfil its own story, but it was still entertaining nevertheless, and allowed Marvel to learn not to do that in the future. Phrase 3, starting with Captain America: Civil War was somewhat a testing ground for the Russo brothers, especially the airport sequence as they used the IMAX cameras. If they could pull off that gigantic film, they should be OK with the enormity of Infinity War. All that needed to happen was introduce a couple more characters with their own solo movie before walloping us with the grand scale of what everything has been leading up to – Thanos.

Having only a very brief cameo in the end credits scene of The Avengers, Thanos was a villain that remained in the shadows. He resurrected and sent Loki to New York, but he ultimately and epically failed – which meant only one thing; he had to do it himself, and he did. All three phrases have referenced either Thanos, the Infinity Stones, or both, as that is the actual story running throughout, and Infinity War is only part one of the conclusion to that story.

As you may have already gathered, I love Infinity War, but instead of just saying that I love it, I want to explain why I do. What’s good about this movie? Whilst it’s tempting to just say, everything and leave it as that, it’s too big of a movie to fit into one word, and so needs many to justify its scale.

We knew there were going to be many characters, and juggling all of them would be a difficult task in of itself, but Infinity War handled that task perfectly by splitting the characters up. Iron Man, Spiderman, and Doctor Strange all got beamed up by a spaceship taken into outer space, subsequently landing on Titan, Thanos’ home planet, where they met up with the Guardians, who previously had interactions with Thor and Rocket and Groot went off to help him forge his new weapon, Stormbreaker. Down on Earth, Captain America, Scarlett Witch, Vision, Black Panther, Bruce Banner, Natalie Romanov, Falcon, and the War Machine teamed up to stop the members of Thanos’ Black Order from taken the Mind Stone. When he arrives on Earth, he has already collected the five Infinity Stones. Everyone put up an incredible fight. Those on Titan very nearly defeated Thanos and took the gauntlet off his fist, but Starlord’s uncontrollable grief for Gamora pathed the way to their defeat and Thanos taking the Time Stone. When Thor entered the battle down on Earth, he’s wielding his new axe, Stormbreaker. They put up a decent fight.  Unfortunately, Thanos collected all six stones and snapped his fingers, obliterating half of all life in the universe, and that’s when we get the emotional disintegration of various characters.

By separating the characters into three different teams and strategically flick between them kept the excitement high. It made us understand what was going on so much easier, and therefore made sure our enjoyment remained strong throughout. Its comedy was on point; not as much as Thor: Ragnarok because it had to focus on so many things at once, but those moments of comedy were golden; proper laugh out loud moments, and keeps the true spirit of a Marvel movie alive.

The movie didn’t waste any time explaining the unnecessary. Whilst you can argue the fact that it doesn’t give any leeway to newcomers, but it shouldn’t have to. This film was intended for those who have stuck around for those ten years is an award for that loyalty. It doesn’t reintroduce the characters, because us fans already know who Iron Man is, who Captain America is, and so on. All it did do was a very subtle catch up scene on the state of the Avengers by using Bruce Banner, who had been in space for two years, as those who find themselves not knowing absolutely everything. It didn’t waste any time, merely kept the continuity of Bruce’s character being away for so long. All the pieces had been slotting into place long before Infinity War came along, this is just the completed puzzle – or to put it more accurate, half of the puzzle is complete.

We have two more films before Infinity War Part 2 – or to be more accurate, Avengers 4 as it will have a different title but is a direct sequel to Infinity War – Ant Man and the Wasp, and Captain Marvel (released in that order). Avengers 4 will be released around about the same time next year, and really would be the final conclusion to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Of course it’s going to continue past that point with Spiderman sequel, Black Panther sequel, and so on, but that’ll be entering a new storyline, a new chapter – or in other words, just giving more of what we love.

Whatever direction they’ll go in after Avengers 4, we’re confident it’ll be a good one. They have spent 10 years building reputation and trust among the public, and kept a clear, level head throughout without getting cocky, we’re not bored. There may be a few people who stop following the universe after Avengers 4 because the main storyline has ceased, and that’s OK. Whether they want to introduce a new big bad, or just continue with the characters they have for now, that is also OK.

As this is a review, normally I don’t say a film is perfect and move on, I do highlight a couple of flaws with the film as well. Those certain points may be annoying niggly bits or flaws that I personally find slightly off putting with the film. However, I feel I need to keep those points to myself. This is a film that’s designed for the loyal fan. Whether people watch it individually or in a group, it’s meant for those who have stuck around for these 10 years. Everyone has a different opinion on what they find is good or bad about every film, and this is no exception, but I don’t want to say what’s bad about it and take someone else’s enjoyment after so much dedication. And yes, whilst I do know that point can be added to every single film I’ve ever watched and will ever watch, so my logic may not be entirely thought out, but Avengers: Infinity War is a film so grand, so epic, so rewarding, it deserves the praise Marvel has been building up for so long. No film is perfect, but for those loyal fans, it is.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Mum's Monday: Father of the Bride

WARNING SPOILERS

The film starts off, with the wedding over and done with, so it is good to know, that it all worked out well in the end, despite the chaos during this film, which is revealed as a flashback/lead up to the wedding.

The film follows the life of the Banks family George the father (Steve Martin), Nina, the mum (Diane Keaton) Annie, the daughter getting married (Kimberly Williams) and Matty, the younger son and brother, (Kieran Culkin). George is coming to terms, or sometimes not, with his little girl growing up and getting married.

The film shows, also a daughter, falling in love, and having to break the news to her parents, that she is getting married, to Bryan MacKenzie (George Newbern).

It is good to see Annie and George make up, by playing one on one basketball in the front yard.

Nina shows to make the effort and tries to keep the peace. George, however, sees everything, while Nina just hears what’s being said, the romance, George has lost his daughter, well almost.

This film shows and proves, parents have a past, they have got away with, now as George is the parent, and he has to accept his daughter is all grown up.

Some over the top scenes, are when George and Nina meet their daughter’s future in laws, this can be nerve racking but a good line said by Bryan’s dad John (Peter Michael Goetz), which basically means, ‘when you let your children go, you hope you have brought them up right’.

In keeping with being over the top, the part where George is snooping around ending in a tricky situation, is a little too overdone.

This film made me wonder, if it really is the bride’s family’s responsibility to fly the Grooms family over from Denmark. This added to George, stressing and wanting to keep the wedding cheap, including, wanting to have a barbecue in the garden as a wedding reception.

Nina does get her way and the wedding planning gets underway.

Sadly, as is normally the case, the bride to be and her mother take over the planning and as we see in the film George is only there to pick up the bill.

After finding out, there are 572 guests invited at $250 a head which equates to $143,000 plus extras, George flips out but when he reads the article in the magazine, Annie is reading, it is good to see he has a change of heart, as not to disappoint his daughter.

As much, as a wedding is a special day, this wedding, in this film, does go over the top, but for the comedic aspect of the film it works, and it never was going to be, just an ordinary wedding, when you make a film about planning a, known to be stressful, over the top, wedding. Ordinary would be boring.

George, just when we thought he was ok with the plans, gets himself arrested. The scenes are well scripted and it is good to see, understanding for him, that a wedding is expensive, but they can afford it, and Annie’s happiness is important.

One of the Banks family businesses, is making sneakers/trainers, so it is lovely to see a pair made especially for the bride to wear, as her wedding shoes on the big day.

All of a sudden disaster strikes, Bryan gave Annie the wrong, but right gift. There does need to be some explaining to be done. As it happens, George is to the rescue, or not, or is he? Yes, he reluctantly saves the day. He realises, he has to let his daughter go, and grows in character, throughout the film.

It is good to see the truth, about the first meeting of the in laws come out, and the wedding is still on.

The film, now becomes serious, when Annie realises, it is her last night as a child, in her childhood home, it is a heart- warming scene to watch, between father and daughter.

The big day has arrived, and when you want to see a white wedding, it is good to get one, even if it is just the snow turning it white, however, strangely, no one mentions in the film about having a white wedding.

It is very rare, for a wedding to go off without a hitch, first George, hasn’t kissed the bride yet, the food, for him has to wait, in a blink and you miss it moment, and also, due to the fact, the cars parked out front, are blocking the road and causing a hazard. This is one of the things that can get overlooked, when planning a wedding reception at you home.

I see in this film, it tries to cover every eventuality, when planning a wedding, in real life, you may experience 1 or 2 events seen in this film, but it is not meant to put you off planning your big day.

I loved Annie’s going away outfit, it was very appropriate, and just when you think the film is over, there is another heart-warming moment, showing the nice bond between father and daughter.