Name: David Ritchie
Category: 15-19
School/College: Penicuik High School, Midlothian
Film: Quantum of Solace

Stirred, not shaken

Bond is back for the twenty-second time, and sadly, he’s past his best. Setting such a high mark with the previous film, this film was bound to be a let down. Removing the gadgets and the crazy, unbelievable villains Bond fans love so much, seems to be a bad idea.

This plot is different to all the others, with filmmakers focusing on making a grittier, realistic Bond. The plot follows Bond seeking revenge for the woman he lost in Casino Royal. With two years between the two films, and no recap at the start of this film, there are many things you forget, which leaves the audience confused at who some of the characters are, and story event.

The main villain is pointless, Dominic Greene, head of the Quantum organisation. He isn’t evil, or scary enough to be a Bond villain, with no distinguishing features, no metal jaw, or love of gold. He doesn’t seem important as Bond doesn’t have a mission, merely a minor inconvenience, simply put in to add another painful half an hour to this film.

The only thing that is good about this film is Daniel Craig’s portrayal of Bond. His acting is the only thing that keeps the audience interested. This realistic and dark Bond, although not traditional, seems to please Bond fans. He’s heartless and callous, but the only thing in this film with emotions.

This film is dull and tedious and definitely not Bond. Bring back Bond!

Name: Abbie Donohoe
Category: 15-19 Sensory Impaired
School/College: St John’s College, Brighton
Film: Be Kind Rewind

Be Kind, Rewind is no longer just a phrase imprinted on rented videos so as to save many a shop owner some hassle.

Now, the phrase can also be associated with the tale of two shop-sitters who cause more than enough hassle for themselves. This well-scripted comedy isn’t exactly kind to the brain – if it’s not being magnetized, has it been swapped for a pizza? To find out more, watch the film!

Fortunately for shop-sitters Mike and hapless Jerry, they have creativity on their side, and when their film spoofs get the thumbs down from the authorities, there’s only one way to keep their converted customers on-side – an original.

The life story of jazz star Fats Waller is hinted at, at regular intervals, as it was originally believed that Fats was born in the ‘Be Kind, Rewind’ Store. Luckily for Mike and Jerry filming his life story isn’t illegal, and ends up saving their skins!

I enjoyed the film’s humour, though it may not suit younger viewers – a potential target audience. I benefitted from audio description, but managed to keep track of the story with little difficulty. Quite impressive for me, as I watch so few films, Mike and Jerry could almost have fooled me with one of their spoofs.

Name: Hannah Pusey
Category: 11-14
School/College: Alton Convent School, Hampshire
Film: Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia!

Take a Chance on THIS!

Mamma Mia! Here we go again! Yet another take on those ancient Abba hits. But My My, How can you resist it? Relax. Forget the rules about what makes a good film and enjoy it. Underneath the musical comedy, there’s a story of lonely single mother, Donna (Meryl Streep) trying to run her dilapidated hotel in Greece while watching her daughter, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) grow up. Sophie is twenty and is engaged to Sky (Dominic Cooper). Enlisting the help of her mother’s old diary Sophie invites her three possible fathers, Bill (Stellan Skarsgard), Harry (Colin Firth), and Sam (Pierce Brosnan) to her wedding – without telling Donna. Meanwhile Donna has invited her own best friends – wealthy divorcee Tanya (Christine Baranski) and practical Rosie (Julie Walters).

Recipe for disaster? Surprisingly, no.

You can hear the enthusiasm from the whole cast as they belt out cheesy pop hits from hilltops, boats and beaches. The great thing about this movie is that, like them or not, everybody knows the songs. Watching Meryl Streep leading a troop of dancing villagers through narrow cobbled streets and onto a rickety pier while singing ‘Dancing Queen’ is enough to get anyone up and moving! And another dance takes place on the pier too – this time in the shape of young men in trunks and giant flippers. It’s fun, fresh and family-orientated. Just make sure you watch the credits – probably the only chance you’ll ever get to see Mr Darcy, James Bond, and Bootstrap Bill Turner on screen together wearing tight, bright, lycra jumpsuits and strutting their stuff with ‘Waterloo’.

Name: Jonny Hall
Category: 11-14 Sensory Impaired
School/College: St John’s School of the Deaf, Leeds
Film: The Simpsons Movie

I like Simpson Movie because it is funny and really good acting and my favourite character is BART! Because he is funny and he is a very cheeky guy and naughty guy and he been swore on that film. His dad told him to go and walks with naked but he did it and he have skateboard with him also everyone saw him naked and everyone stared shocked and police chase him also his skateboard wheel is broken and come off then he tip over the fence and stuck on window and police try to get him off. Finally police had done it and put jail on him around lamp. Nelson laugh him all day then he getting tired but his mum came, then his mum started to laugh at him again. Suddenly Bart’s dad has come to him. Also I had been laughing at Maggie because Maggie had a fight with monkey and monkey scared of Maggie! So that’s why I like The Simpson Movie, because it is funny.

Name: Hammad Raza
Category: 7-11
School/College: Rudston Preparatory School, Rotherham
Film: Ratatouille

Pixar animated studios present another hilarious comedy adventure, this time of a rat who loves to cook and a love story between the two main human characters Linguini (Lou Romano) and fiery French lady Chef (Janeane Garofolo) in Ratatouille in 2007. The director and co writer of this fabulous movie is Brad Bird.

The theme of the story is the American dream, which is that anyone can become anything if they try hard enough. In this case a rat called Remy (Patton Oswalt) dreams of becoming a chef.

This is 98 minutes of thrilling animated entertainment for all ages to enjoy which I have watched with my parents after a lovely Sunday lunch. Lets just forget about my lunch and go back to Remy’s adventures in French celebrity chef Gusteau’s restaurant kitchen where he literally puppets around kitchen boy Linguini who is absolutely hopeless at cooking. I adored the way the taste of the food was described with dazzling colourful illustrations accompanied by beautiful music.

This movie does not fail to emphasise family ties and teamwork. The best part of Ratatouille is the way Remy pursues his dream in a dangerous busy kitchen. The movie ends on a positive note of triumph and success which shows that hard work always pays off with startling rewards and recognition. I must admit one character was missing which could have been Remy’s love interest apart from cooking. But on second thoughts he would not have had any time spare for her as he was ever so determined to prove that a rat can cook the best dishes in the whole of Paris.

Basically Ratatouille is a fantastic 4 star rating movie and I shall be watching it again some time in the future.

Name: Olivia Ansah-Smith
Category: 7-11 Sensory Impaired
School/College: The Fox Primary School, London
Film: Bridge to Terabithia

The Bridge to Terabithia is set in America, California. And there is a new girl coming to Jess’ school, and her name is Leslie. They both get bullied, the boy is getting bullied by two boys in his class. And Leslie gets bullied by one big girl.

I like the way the producer has put a rich family and a very poor family together.

What I disliked about the film is that the dark lord just runs but doesn’t say anything.

My favourite part is when Jess pushes his little sister and she started crying.

The most interesting character is Leslie because you never know what can happen with her.

There are lots of mean characters, one of them is called Lisa and the other two boys bullied Jess.

The funniest thing is when Jess’ little sister Mable, starts to sing to Jess and Leslie sitting in the tree then Leslie covers her mouth.

One of the happiest things that happens is when Jess gets invited to go to the museum with his music teacher.

The saddest thing is when Leslie dies because something makes her fall into a river but if you want to know why you have to find the film and watch it.

I recommend this adventurous film to anyone who likes to imagine.

Name: Harry Keen
Category: 4-7
School/College: Broomhill Infant School, Brislington
Film: Bee Movie

Name: Phoebe Lawrence
Category: Film Club - Primary Category
School/College: Ash Grove, Lincolnshire
Film: Bedtime Stories

My favorite film is this one – Bedtime Stories because the stories come true. I think its really funny when the dwarf kicks Skeeter, when he's about to kiss Violet.

I think Jill as the mermaid is cool because first she's a fairy, then she's a black raven and then she's finally a mermaid. I like it when my favourite character, Bugsy, meets Skeeter and Skeeter screams at Bugsy's eyes as they are so big and almost pop out of his head. My second favourite charcter next to Bugsy is Mickey. I would give this film a 5/5 stars. The people that I would recommend this film to would be girls or boys with an age range of about four plus. Even some adults might like it!

Name: Rosemary Collins
Category: Film Club - Secondary Category
School/College: Pate’s Grammar School, Cheltenham
Film: Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire was one of the great cultural landmarks of 2009, winning the Best Picture Oscar and earning $160 million at the box office. Is it worth the hype? In my opinion, definitely.

The story begins with Mumbai teenager Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) being brutally beaten in a police station. He has just won the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and has been accused of cheating. But as a series of flashbacks reveal, Jamal has acquired all his knowledge by chance. He has led a tough life, orphaned at an early age and living rough, but he has maintained his innocence, humanity, and love for his childhood sweetheart Latika (Freida Pinto.) The journey through Jamal’s young but action-packed life is full of humour and drama. The film is held together by Danny Boyle’s beautiful, technically brilliant and original cinematography, which recreates the lives of India’s poor colourfully and engrossingly. Yes, the film is about as plausible as a fairy tale. But as Jamal becomes a hero to millions of ordinary Indian people and does battle with the wily host (Anil Kapoor), who determines to scupper his chances, you’ll be nailed to your seat, willing love and goodness to triumph. Between the film’s opening montage, which establishes the complex plot, and its life-affirming ending, you’ll laugh and cry. You’ll be shaken, uplifted and enchanted. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys films of any kind, or just loves a good story!

Rating: 5/5