Movies: Mary Poppins Returns (U), Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse (PG), Bumblebee (PG), Cool Runnings (DVD – PG) & Die-Hard (DVD - 18)

Mary Poppins Returns (U) – what’s it about? The title says it all - Mary Poppins returns to look after the next generation of the Banks family.

Well I’m pretty sure most people have seen the original Mary Poppins film, I can’t remember how many times I must have watched this as a kid. And the big question is does this meet up to the expectations of all those children that have now grown up? Well imo its ok, its not amazing but it’s a good watch to pass the time – but to those who are still young or who may have not seen the original will probably love this. It’s basically more a movie for the next generation, so if you or your little ones like a happy clappy magical film with lots of singing then this will probably be right up your street. If though you are wanting to re-live your youth, you’ve become a grumpy old git or have great expectations of this one then you may come away a little disappointed.

Rating: **

Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse (PG) – what’s it about? Evil villain sets off a collider and ends up mashing up universes which results in multiple Spider-people.

I went to see this after a couple of people I know said to go see it, its amazing! I wasn’t too fussed on it, though I love my comic book movies, I just didn’t think it looked too good from the adverts. So it’s more of a kid’s film but it has some moments which adults will get more than the kids, so it’s one of those where the parents and the weens will like it. I have to admit in parts I was in stitches, I was crying in laughter in the cinema – whilst everyone else was pretty reserved, so it definitely has some good humour in it. It’s got some good action and adds something else to the Spiderman story. It was actually a really good film, with only one character that got on my nerves, and if it wasn’t for one of the Spider-people I probably would have given it another star – but its there for the kids so is probably me just being a grumpy pants.

Rating: ***

Bumblebee (PG) – what’s it about? The story of Bumblebee arriving on earth prior to the other transformers after the downfall of Cybertron.

Now everybody loves Bumblebee right? Such a fun Transformer. Well if you’ve liked all the Transformer movies to date then you can probably guarantee that you’ll like this one, though a bit of a re-harsh of the first movie, where a Transformer ends up being taken in by a teenager and they become friends and have to save the planet and all from the evil Decepticons. It’s still a good and fun movie to watch though, it’s got some story, some humour which made me giggle – but sadly not LOL funny and as always it’s got some good action as is expected from this movie franchise. If you would like to see a little more of what happened on Cybertron and learn how Bumblebee became the radio-talking Transformer we all know and love then this is totally worth watching.

Rating: ****

Cool Runnings (DVD – PG) – what’s it about? A group of want-to-be athletes set up the first Jamaican Bobsleigh team.

I hadn’t seen this for years and found the DVD in the second-hand shop for cheap so I thought I’d re-live my youth and re-watch it. I wasn’t disappointed with it, it was still a good watch all these years later. I still laughed away at it and it made me smile, its one of those stories where you can just watch and enjoy, where you don’t really need to think about it. It’s heart-warming and fun to watch, so if you haven’t seen it before or if you haven’t seen it in a long while then maybe its time to re-visit this one.

Rating: ***

Die-Hard (DVD - 18) – what’s it about? A group of robbers set their sight on the vault of a high-flying company – can a cop save the hostages and the day.

This was another where I hadn’t seen it in years and thought I’d give it another go, it has been Christmas after all! And there we have it the age-old argument of if Die-Hard is a Christmas movie or not. Anyway yes back to the movie, even though it’s getting on a little bit now and movies have changed a little over the years, this is totally a classic and a classic action movie at that. It’s got everything you need, the good guys vs the bad, the action, the whole guns and bombs and the good guy trying to save the day etc etc. Yeah it’s definitely one of those leave you brain at the door films where you don’t ask too many questions, but it’s totally worth re-watching or watching if you’ve never seen it and like some good classic action style movie.

Rating: ***

Movies: Creed II (15), Ralph Breaks the Internet (PG), Mortal Engines (12A) & Aquaman (12A)

Creed II (15) – what’s it about? A continuation of the boxing series. Creed is set to fight Drago who wants to win the belt.

So if you’ve seen the previous Creed movie or any of the Rocky movies you’ll know exactly what to expect with this one. There’s nothing new. There’s a fight, it doesn’t go to well, lots of suffering, the trainer giving a pep talk, a training montage, then another fight that’s a little rocky. That basically the sum up of any of these movies, there’s no spoiling it there. Yeah the story has a few interesting bits and it’s an ok watch, but oh so predictable. I sadly think it’s the time to say it and that’s I think it’s time to ring the final bell for this franchise unless they can think of something new. I probably could give it 2 1/2 *’s as it’s an ok movie, but it’s just nothing special so I'm going to be a little harsh and only give it 2.

Rating: **

Ralph Breaks the Internet (PG) – what’s it about? The sequel to Wreck it Ralph. The arcade is plugged into the internet and Ralph and Vanellope go on a quest to save her game.

If you’ve seen the first one and you found it amusing, then this one will be right up your street as it continues in the same vein. The story is good going, it’s interesting and there are enough moments that are amusing for both kids and adults. It’s one of those that’s done well for anyone who’s anywhere under the age of 40 as you’ll get all the jokes. Yeah, my mates and I were in stitches in parts, it’s lol funny rather than heh funny, so be prepared to have a giggle. It’s a good mix of humour, light story and a bit of action, with a bit of a moral thrown in for good measure. The perfect movie you can just sit and enjoy, so if you are a kid or a big kid then it’s worth seeing 😊

Rating: ****

Mortal Engines (12A) – what’s it about? Set in a post-apocalyptic future where humanity lives in moveable cities that consume each other for survival two unlikely friends try to survive.

Well this is something a little different and though unbelievable (well not the end of the world bit, that’s probably a certainty) it gives a good watch with some interesting story. It focuses around the two main characters and their friendship that develops, the main story though is about the adventure, survival and conspiracies which was pretty engrossing. It’s got a good mix that managed that kept me entertained, though I was a little bored at one point, but that wasn’t for long and I put that down to my tiredness. Yep its worth a watch, a good movie to pass the time and escape this reality for a while.

Rating: ***

Aquaman (12A) – what’s it about? Arthur’s half-brother sets out to take the fight to humanity for all the bad things they’ve done to the ocean over the years.

I’ve been waiting for this one for quite a while, I like the Aquaman story and I’ve loosely followed Jason Mamoa’s outings since he played the awesome Ronon Dex in Stargate Atlantis. So I had hopes for this film, what I kept in mind though is that this is a DC movie and not a Marvel one, though DC have nailed the small screen where Marvel seem to lack, it’s been the other way around on the large screen. Don’t get me wrong some of the DC movies are good but some have been freaking awful, so I was thinking this could either be hit or miss. With that in mind I have to say I enjoyed it, I liked the story and the whole underlining of how humanity is screwing up the planet (which is true and we as a race need to change!). I also fell in love with Mera and totally want to cosplay her…anyway yes it’s a good movie, it’s not the greatest movie out there but it’s still worth a watch just because it’s got some good action and stuff going on. It definitely has a few great moments and I didn’t find myself bored so that is always a plus. So yeah if you have a spare couple of hours and like the comic book movies then it’s worth a look.

Rating: ****