TOP 10 Movies You Can Watch on British TV

 

 TOP 10 Movies You Can Watch on 

British TV in the Upcoming Weeks

Hey there! This post is dedicated to all of you, based in the UK, as further below, you could find my list of  TOP 10 Movies British TV has to offer in the upcoming weeks. Most of my picks are films, I've already reviewed, so if you want to read the full review, just click on the movie title. In addition, all of the below listed films will premiere on Sky Movies in September and October, so don't waste any more time, and save money by using Sky voucher codes for their TV packages. I can assure you that Sky offers the best discounts and vouchers out there. Best of all, you can watch every single one of those movies in stunning HD quality, so you can enjoy them to the fullest.

1. Django Unchained - Although certainly not the best movie in Tarantino's impressive career, "Django Unchained" is nevertheless a stylish, wittily-written, blood-filled, and wildly enjoyable near masterpiece of a spaghetti western, which is destined to become a classic.

2. Argo - Over the last five years, Ben Affleck proved himself an extremely capable director, but he's really at the top of his game with "Argo" - a smart and thoughtful based-on-a-true story thriller, that is constantly engrossing from start to finish, and also tense and thrilling.

3. Flight - Not only Danzel Washington's performance in this film is, hands down, one of the best in 2012, but so is the movie itself. From the flawed, yet likable main character to the taught direction and super-absorbing storyline, everything about "Flight" is spot-on.

4. Pitch Perfect - Clever, witty, original, pleasant to watch, delightfully quirky, downright hilarious, and featuring catchy musical numbers, tons of great laughs, and awesome performances from the entire cast, the-"Mean Girls"-of-musicals, "Pitch Perfect",  hits all the right notes.

5. Silver Linings Playbook - As honest and outspoken as its lead characters, if tad overlong, "Silver Linings Playbook" very cleverly balances comedic and dramatic elements, delivering laughter, sincere emotions, sharp dialogues and quirky romance to its viewers.

6. Premium Rush - This extremely fast-paced thriller is pure adrenaline rush pretty much from beginning to the end, offering enough originality, sympathetic characters, edgy camera work and stylish cinematography, to hold every viewer's attention, and make them begging for more.

7. The Master - It's definitely not an easy watch, hence, it won't be everyone's cup of tea, but those with an open mind, will appreciate the films bizarre uniqueness, as well as the masterful direction, authentic settings, and fantastic performances from the A-list cast involved.

8. Mental - With its peculiar story, colorful characters, sharp script, vivid cinematography and vibrant visuals, this unique Aussie dramedy, "Mental", lives up to its title, and proves to be mental, indeed, but in the best possible sense of the world.

9. The Man with the Iron Fists - It's wildly uneven, and the plot is just an excuse for some over-the-top action scenes, but "The Man with the Iron Fists" still can be fully enjoyed for what it is -  a visually stimulating martial arts extravaganza for grown-ups.

10. Taken 2 - While definitely far from being on-par with its memorable predecessor, "Taken 2" somewhat still manages to engage your interest, mainly thanks to Liam Neeson's charismatic performance, the exciting action bits, and some very interesting shooting locations

Posted by George Beremov [Nebular] at 9:23 AM 2 comments:

Saturday, August 17, 2013

TOP 3 Family-friendly Film-to-Musical Adaptations

TOP 3 Family-Friendly 

Film-to-Musical Adaptations

Hey, film geeks! One thing is for sure... We all love watching movies, don't we? That being said, have you ever thought of giving a chance to a musical theatre based on a movie? How about one you can see along with your kids? If not, then don't waste any more time, and go buy theatre tickets for the entire family! 

Much like movies, musical theatre is a special experience you'll never, that has its own unique charm. Therefore, you should let your kids to experience it too. If you struggle to choose the right musical theatre for you and your children to see, this post may come as a help, as below you can find listed three of the best family-friendly film-to-musical adaptations currently showing in London, UK, and around the world.

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1. The Lion King

Not only this spectacular musical has been seen by 70 million viewers around the world, but it had won numerous awards, and rightfully so. If you and your kids liked the beloved 1994 animated feature from Disney, you'll love the musical as well. It's simple as that. It's enjoyable, highly-entertaining, and visually sumptuous, thanks to the gorgeous costuming and stunning scenery. The music and the routines are absolutely outstanding as well. "The Lion King" has all the ingredients for a top-notch musical theatre, and it's definitely that!

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2. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

We all love Charlie and Willy Wonka, right? "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Musical" is yet another reason to see these characters, but this time in person! But it's not just that. This eye-candy production, re-envisioned by "Skyfall" director Sam Mendes, has one of the most colorful and imaginative settings you'll ever see, as well as one of the most adorable kids characters ever put on stage. Not to mention the engaging performances from everyone involved, the wicked script, and, of course, the great music. 

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3. Billy Elliot

I bet you all remember the inspirational and heart-warming British drama of the same name about a boy from a small mining town in England who, after stumbling across a ballet class while on his way to a boxing lesson, realizes that his future lay not in the boxing ring but on stage as a dancer. Well, "Billy Elliot The Musical" is every bit as inspiring, feel-good, joyous, and unforgettable as the movie itself. The routines are extraordinary and nicely-choreographed, the acting is spot-on, and the singing will definitely cheer you up.

Posted by George Beremov [Nebular] at 10:00 AM 4 comments:

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Rise of the Guardians on TV

Rise of the Guardians (2012)

Brief review: Based on William Joyce's book series "The Guardians of Childhood, "Rise of the Guardians" is DreamWorks' latest feature, which turns out to be of those animated flicks, that can be equally enjoyed by the kids and their parents, thanks to its solid story, high entertainment value, and eye-popping visuals. David Lindsay-Abaire's cleverly-adapted script mixes up mythological and fantasy elements with huge amount of wit and juvenile innocence, in order to provides us with an engaging storyline with never a dull moment, that is as kind-hearted and affecting, as its briskly-paced and action-packed. Moreover, the film's moral beliefs are so pure and sincere, it will make you feel like a happy kid, who still believes in Santa Claus, Easter Rabbit, Tooth Fairy, Sandman, and even Jack Frost. "Rise of the Guardians" is crafted with vivid imagination, and that shows through the vibrant animation, impressive use of color and remarkable attention to detail. That being said, some of the characters' design, particularly the human and the human-looking ones, isn't the slickest you'll ever see, simply because their faces look a bit waxy. The other characters, however, are beautifully-crafted, especially the Tooth Fairy and the baby fairies, which are the cutest little things you'll ever see. The voice acting is spot-on for the most part, breathing life into the lovable CGI characters. If you're lucky enough to live in the UK and have your sky tv broadband package, you could watch this dazzling animated flick in HD on your own Plasma/LCD TV, as it premiers on Sky Premiere HD this afternoon at 4.30 PM. 

Overall summary: Energetic, lively, imaginative, full of fresh ideas, and all around entertaining,  "Rise of the Guardians" not only astounds with its vivid, colorful, and richly-crafted and polished animation, but also has heart-warming morality and magicality, that will win you over.

Posted by George Beremov [Nebular] at 6:23 AM 5 comments:

The Dark Knight Rises... yet again

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Brief review: Even if it doesn't quite meet the high expectation set by its predecessors, Nolan's long-anticipated conclusion to his "Batman" trilogy is still a great way to end the franchise. In spite of its 164-minute running time, "TDKR" never fails to entertain, thanks to the clever writing and gripping narrative, enhanced by the film's visual depth. In the same fashion as "The Dark Knight", "TDKR" has little to no 'comic book feel' about it, simply because its director tries to keep everything as realistic as possible. Unfortunately, that combined with the lack of humor makes it seem a bit too serious at times. Execution-wise, "TDKR" is nothing short of masterful, but considering Nolan's amazing skills that's not a surprise. Pfister's muted, almost noir-ish cinematography and gritty camera work match perfectly with both the movie's dark tone  and Gotham City's grim atmosphere, and Nolan's refined, yet vigorous direction maintains the intensity of the story. While far from epic, the action scenes are well-shot and thrilling to watch, and the CGI work is first-rate and intentionally kept to a minimum. The acting is superb. Although a bit underused, Christian Bale turns in his best Batman performance yet. Anne Hathaway steals every scene as the seductive, yet shifty and manipulative Catwoman, Tom Hardy does an outstanding job as the astounding villain, Bane, and Marion Cotillard and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are at their very best. If you are a UK resident, and you haven't seen "The Dark Knight Rises yet, you can still catch up and watch it on Sky Movies on 16th of August, thanks to the wonderful sky bundles, this well-rounded TV programme offers to its viewers. Give it a shot, and see if you agree with me!

Overall summary: Pretty much humorless and tad overlong, yet never boring, "The Dark Knight Rises" is a beyond satisfying conclusion to Chris Nolan's worldwide acclaimed "Batman" trilogy, that boasts a deeply thoughtful script, strong characters, and top-notch execution.

Posted by George Beremov [Nebular] at 2:42 AM 6 comments:

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Competition: Win a 19 inch Alba HD TV!!! (Open to UK residents only)

Competition: Win a 19 inch Alba HD TV!!!

 

Does your bedtime ritual involve catching the latest episode of your favourite TV show? If you need your TV fix outside the living room as well, then here’s a chance to win the perfect size telly.

CineMarvellous has teamed up with Argos to give away this compact 19 inch HD LED TV from Alba. It’s ideal for bedroom or kitchen viewing and you won’t be compromising on picture quality or features either. 

Enjoy all your favourite Freeview programmes on its integrated Freeview digital tuner. And if you want to catch up on the latest movie releases at home, there’s even a built-in DVD player. 

  

For your chance to win this nifty TV, simply answer the following question:

How big is the Alba TV?

-        - 26 inches

-        -17 inches

-         -19 inches

To enter, simply email your answer at nebular@mail.bg , before 12th of July 2013 (6 PM BST). Make sure your subject line says 'Competition'.

You can also follow @CineMarvellous on Twitter, and send your entry through private message.

The entry must include your first name, location (in the UK), and email address.

The winner will be announced on 12th of July 2013 (8 PM BST) here on CineMarvellous! We’ll get in touch with the prize winner shortly after the announcement.

If you’re still looking for more options, Argos has an extensive range of TVs for every budget including leading brands such as Samsung, Panasonic and LG.

Terms and Conditions:

-         - Delivery will be within 28 days of Argos receiving the winner’s address, and the competition prize may vary at the discretion of Argos.

-        - The prize as described will be supplied direct from Argos, and there is no cash alternative.

-       -   This competition is open to UK residents only.

Posted by George Beremov [Nebular] at 7:54 AM 7 comments:

Labels: Competitions

Monday, March 18, 2013

Blogfest: Top 10 (Horror) Movie Countdown

Ninja Captain Alex overt at Alex J. Cavanaugh is hosting yet another awesome blogfest today, and I'm more than happy to participate in it. Back in June 2012, his first blogfest "The Movie Dirty Dozen" had a similar theme, but Alex has decided to revisit it with "Top Ten Movie Countdown", because back at that time, he have had less than 200 followers (he's at 1,800 now), and most most of his new blog buddies missed it. I, personally, think the idea is great, but since I participated in his first blogfest, I decided to mix things up a little bit, instead of re-posting my top 10 favorite films of all time. Therefore, I'm putting a 'horror' spin on the subject, in order to be able to present to you my "Top 10 Favorite Horror Movies of All Time" + a bonus list of my "Top 3 Favorite Horror Comedies of All Time". Alex, I hope you don't mind I broke the rules. :) Check out both lists below, and let me know what you guys think. Oh, and just for the record, do not expect to see some overly familiar horror classic cliches such as "Halloween", "The Shining", and "Psycho" at the top of my list. It's not gonna happen. :)

*****

George Beremov's

TOP 10 Horror Movies of All Time

1. [REC] (2007)

 

Spanish directing duo Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza will make you experience fear to the fullest with "[REC]" - a POV horror masterpiece, that is uber-inventive, highly original, brilliantly-crafted, claustrophobic, and unpredictable, but above all SCARY as hell. The final act is so utterly intense and mind-blowingly terrifying, it will stay with you for the rest of your life, so consider yourself warned.

10/10

2. The Descent (2006)

Horror flicks don't get any more claustrophobic than Neil Marshall's sensational underground fright-fest "The Descent". He has managed to create a modern horror classic that combines all the right elements - an appealing group of likable female characters, chilling setting, freaky-looking creatures, effective gore, sky high level of intensity, tons of genuine scares, and truly priceless entertainment value.

9.75/10

3. The Exorcist (1973)

[The Version You've Never Seen]

Although made back in '73, William Friedkin's timeless horror classic "The Exorcist" never gets old, and rightfully so. No matter how many times you have seen it, it's still shocking, utterly frightening and as effective as it was four decades ago. The 2000 version reveals a few never-before-seen scenes of terror, that you'll never forget, just like Linda Blair's truly outstanding performance as Regan.

9.75/10

4. Alien (1979)

[Director's Cut]

Ridley Scott's late 70's sci-fi horror phenomenon "Alien" needs no introduction. It's sheer brilliance in terms of concept and execution, featuring the most unique, creative, impressively-designed and utterly horrifying creature in cinematic history. The movie as a whole is an unforgettable thrill ride, filled with edge-of-your-seat moments of  fear, tensity and eeriness, plus, it's a technical achievement.

9.75/10

5. The Ring (2012) &

Ringu (1998) [Tie]

Both Hideo Nakata's "Ringu" and Gore Verbinski's US remake "The Ring" are equally as creepy and effective, and easily rank as one of the best supernatural horror films ever made. While the Japanese version wins in terms of originality and scares, the American version has bigger visual impact, and it's far more technically polished and visually creepy, not to mention the new elements added to the story.

9.75/10

6. Planet Terror (2007)

Mostly know as the first part of the double feature "Grindhouse" from 2007, "Planet Terror" is  Robert Rodriguez's best (if not financially successful) effort, one of the coolest-looking zombie films of all time, and hands down, exploitation cinema at its finest. Everything from the stylishly trashy visuals, quirky characters, and over-the-top action scenes to the top-notch practical effects, and buckets of guts and gore works amazingly well.

9.75/10

7. Martyrs (2008)

Pascal Lauguier's sadistically sick flick "Martyrs" goes far deeper than most horror movies, and not just in terms of its violence and gore. It gives far greater consideration to the traumatic psychological impact of violence and suffering. The absolutely shocking twist at the end will prove everyone who thinks this is just one nasty, gruesome, and brutal torture-porn film wrong.

9.50/10 

8. The Others (2001)

More creepy rather than scary, but constantly spooky and insaely atmospheric, Alejandro Amenábar's fantastically-crafted ghost story "The Others" is a proof that a horror film does not need a multi million dollar budget or first class special effects to be effective. All you need is a charismatic lead, sinister setting, engaging script, and a clever twist ending that you'll never ever see coming.

9.50/10

9. Rosemary's Baby (1968)

Forget about "Psycho"! Polanski's "Rosmary's Baby" is the real deal, and arguably the best horror movie of the 60's and history of cinema in general. Its satanic subject matter is as disturbing as it can get, and every  young mother's nightmare. The ominous atmosphere adds further creepiness to the already dark story, and the smart script keeps you wonder whether all this is simply a paranoia, or the Devil himself is really involved.

9.50/10

10. Let Me In (2010)

The Swedish original was great, yet somewhat emotionally cold. Two years after it "Cloverfield director", Matt Reeves, brought us pretty much the perfect remake, adding that extra special something, the original was missing. The ‘secret’ of his success was his tasteful visual style, and his ability to create the appropriate mood and atmosphere, that best suit the nature of the film. Besides, its subtle creepiness will make your skin crawl.

9.50/10

Honorable mentions:

 The Evil Dead (1981)

The Thing (1982)

Jaws (1975)

The Fly (1986)

Devil's Backbone (2001)

Trollhunter (2010)

*****

BONUS LIST:

George Beremov's

TOP 3 Horror Comedies of All Time

 

1. Gremlins (1984)

A seamless blend of comedy and horror, Joe Dante's true Christmas classic "Gremlins" is undoubtedly one of the most original horror films ever created, destined to become a classic. And it did. It's cute, but creepy at the same time, definitely witty, and all around entertaining. Gizmo is truly the most adorable creature ever, and the gremlins themselves are nasty little freaks, that will give you the creeps. Plus, it has the rewatchability factor.

9.75/10

2. Dead Alive (1992)

Everybody knows Peter Jackson for his amazing "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, but do you remember his super-cool, ultra-gory and utterly hilarious horror comedy "Dead Alive" from the early 90's? I bet horror buffs do. It's a zombie flick like no other, with great sense of humor and super spot-on practical effects, that proudly boasts its over-the-top goriness, and rightly so. The final act is so bloody, you won't believe your eyes.

9.50/10

3. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)

OK, Sam Raimi's "Evil Dead" was scary, without a doubt, but his sequel (or more like remake), "Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn" manages to be equally funny and frightening, which is a difficult thing to achieve. Needless to say, this sequel is far more technically polished than its predecessor, especially in the special effects department, and that definitely works in its favor. And Bruce Campbell is a star!

9.50/10

Posted by George Beremov [Nebular] at 3:08 AM 60 comments:

Labels: Alex J. Cavanaugh, Blogfest: Top Ten Movie Countdown, CM: Nebular's TOP 10 Horror Movies of All Time, CM: Nebular's TOP 3 Horror Comedies of All Time, Top Lists

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

[7.00/10] The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

QuickRating: Sure, it's slightly moody and not particularly visually appealing, but thanks to its sincere script, truly excellent performances from the three young actors Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, and the interesting dynamics between their genuine characters, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" can be easily considered the best high school movie to com out from America in the past five, if not ten years. Yes, it's that good.

Posted by George Beremov [Nebular] at 1:06 PM 2 comments:

Labels: 2012 Movies, All Reviewed Movies, QuickRatings, Rating: 7.00 stars out of 10

[6.50/10] The Words (2012)

The Words (2012)

QuickRating: Although completely miscast, Bradley Cooper still does his best and gives one of the better performances of his career, Zoe Saldana is way underused, but Jeremy Irons is spot-on as usual. The melancholic mood of the film suits the peculiar nature of the story, and while hardly plausible, the plot is very engaging, dramatically intense, and definitely not cliched. "The  Words" also teaches an important lesson about dignity, and that makes it worth-watching.

Posted by George Beremov [Nebular] at 9:56 AM 3 comments:

Labels: 2012 Movies, All Reviewed Movies, QuickRatings, Rating: 6.50 stars out of 10

[6.00/10] The Sessions (2012)

The Sessions (2012)

QuickRating: The movie deals with its 'taboo' sexual subject matter in a very gentle and delicate way, the otherwise subtly dramatic script is full of amusing bits, the untypical sex scenes seem as natural and candid as possible, and both John Hawkes and Helen Hun deliver charismatic and pretty memorable performances, but "The Sessions" is largely let down by its unpolished visuals, bland cinematography, and Ben Lewin's odd, off-putting, and by-the-numbers direction.

Posted by George Beremov [Nebular] at 9:28 AM No comments:

Labels: 2012 Movies, All Reviewed Movies, QuickRatings, Rating: 6.00 stars out of 10

Monday, March 4, 2013

[6.75/10] Killer Joe (2012)

Killer Joe (2012)

QuickRating: "Killer Joe"'s bizarre, brutal nature certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea, but on the other hand, there's something truly mesmerizing about this twisted, uncompromising, and shockingly violent thriller, brought by "Exorcist" director William Friedkin, that will keep you glued to the screen the entire time. Matthew McConaughey portrays his vile and unpredictable character phenomenally well, and the rest of the cast also give very solid performances.

Posted by George Beremov [Nebular] at 1:30 PM 2 comments:

Labels: 2012 Movies, All Reviewed Movies, QuickRatings, Rating: 6.75 stars out of 10

[6.50/10] Tower Block (2012)

Tower Block (2012)

QuickRating: Even though the execution could have been better and the direction stronger, "Tower Block" still wins points for originality, thanks to its clever premise, and fairly inventive script, plus, having a similar setting to "The Raid" and "Dredd", this British thriller is also grim, gritty, and even somewhat claustrophobic. The truly credible performances add to the story, and make the overall experience a whole lot more gripping and effective, if hardly that memorable.

Posted by George Beremov [Nebular] at 12:54 PM 2 comments:

Labels: 2012 Movies, All Reviewed Movies, QuickRatings, Rating: 6.50 stars out of 10

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