Movies: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (12A), Jarhead 2: Field of Fire (DVD - 15), Demolition Man (DVD - 15), Spies in Disguise (PG), Playing with Fire (PG) & Cats (U)

Star Wars: The rise of Skywalker (12A) - what's it about? The final chapter of the main Star Wars story where Rey must battle the Sith and stop the dark side from taking over the galaxy.

I had to jump to see this as soon as it come out, just because you know Star Wars. I wouldn’t say I’m a fangirl - well you know not an uber hardcore fan so keep that in mind. I liked this one, I thought it was good, had the Star Wars feel, and it was nice that Carrie Fisher was in it but I did find there were a few plot holes in the story which was quite frustrating. Yeah was a good watch and a nice end to the story. I think some hardcore fans will probably nitpick this but for a general fan it was enjoyable.

Rating: ***

Jarhead 2: Field of Fire (DVD - 15) - what's it about? A squad must transport some stuff across a war zone and all doesn't go according to plan.

I popped in the shop and found this, to tell you the truth I didn't even know it was released, I loved the first one so decided to grab it. It's a bit different to the first but a good story which is filled with some good action, it's a good war film but it's focused on the team rather than the greater war. It's a good watch, if you like war stuff or enjoyed the first it’s worth giving it a watch.

Rating: ***

Demolition Man (DVD - 15) - what's it about? After being frozen for crimes a cop and a criminal get thawed and all hell breaks loose.

I hadn't seen this in a long while and had to give it a re-watch. They don't make movies like this with crazy ass villains any more. It's got a bit of a story but mainly focuses on the action, explosions etc. It's got some good humour in it that gave me a chuckle. It's one of those that you'll either love it or you'll think what have I just watched. Yep I liked it, a good futurist film!

Rating: ****

Spies in Disguise (PG) - what's it about? A top spy ends up getting accidently turned into a pigeon.

Ok so from the adverts this looked like it could be fun and amusing, sometimes the world needs something silly to make it laugh, and for me this didn’t disappoint. There were quite a few moments in it where I loled, which I was quite surprised at. Just think cartoon James Bond but with pigeons and that basically sums up this film so if you are a fan of spy action stuff but also like a good cartoon then this has it all. It also has enough humour which the kids will get but it also had stuff as an adult that I found really amusing. This is an all-round film that’s worth a look.

Rating: ***

Playing with Fire (PG) - what's it about? Three kids end up caught in a house fire and are saved by smoke jumpers, who have to look after them until their parents arrive.

I thought this may have been amusing from the adverts but it also could be really bad, sadly it ended up being the latter, it was just meh, totally meh. I feel my rating though of 1 star is probably a little harsh as it did have a couple of moments I found slightly funny but it wasn’t good enough to give it 2 stars in my book. This is one that is aimed at littler kids and doesn’t really have much to it. It’s just yeah, you’ll end up watching this if you have kids and you’ll probably have had enough after 5 minutes.

Rating: *

Cats (U) - what's it about? The Jellicles cats must decide who of them will ascend to the Heaviside Layer.

I was in two minds if to see this as I am not really a fan of musicals at all in the cinema, I love a good musical stage show but I think somehow they lose something being transported into the big screen. A friend of mine when I asked her though said she thought I’d like this but warned me it was a lot of singing and it was kind of weird the cats being so humanlike. I agree with her after seeing this, it’s a lot of singing and the cats were kind of disturbing, though I’m pretty sure the furries will appreciate them. Yeah it was an alright watch, though I have not seen the stage show so I cannot compare it, but I have to admit I did shed a tear in it, so it did hit me in the feels. Yep worth a watch if you like musicals.

Rating: ***

Movies: Jumanji: The Next Level (12A) & Hotel Transylvania 2 (DVD – PG)

Jumanji: The Next Level (12A) – what’s it about? The sequel to the Jumanji remake, where the gang must enter back into the game and save the day.

I thought I have to see this as the last one was really amusing and I felt like I could do with a good proper laugh, and it didn’t disappoint. It was exactly as I expected, more of the same silly humour and a bit of a refresh of the storyline. I’d say in a way it’s just a rehash of the first one so it maybe has lost a little bit of that edge, but it was still an enjoyable to watch and gave me a laugh. If you want to watch something silly where you can leave your brain at the door and just enjoy then this is worth checking out.

Rating: ****

Hotel Transylvania 2 (DVD – PG) – what’s it about? Dracula and the gang try to awake up the monster in Mavis and Jonathan’s son.

After watching the first one last week I was straight on this to see what the second one would be like, as I really did love the first one. Now in my opinion I don’t think this one was as good as the first one, don’t get me wrong it was still a great watch, pretty fun and just an enjoyable family-friendly spooky film. I don’t know, I am not a fan of films where they introduce babies, but I suppose in something where there is a couple it’s pretty inevitable but yeah I just switch off when it’s all baby gaga. That said this did make me smile and I did enjoy the light-hearted storyline, it’s worth a watch and another one for all the family.

Rating: ***

Movies: Knowing (DVD – 15), Last Christmas (12A), Knives Out (12A), Gremlins (35th Anniversary) (12A), Hotel Transylvania (DVD – PG)

Knowing (DVD – 15) – what’s it about? After a time-capsule is pulled out of the ground John works out the document his son is given lists predictions of major disasters.

I thought I’d give this a re-watch as I hadn’t seen it in a while and couldn’t fully remember the story. This is one of those interesting disaster movies as it’s not just like the run of the mill as it has numerous disaster bits in it but also stuff to do with the whole mystery that’s got to be solved. It’s kind of graphic in parts though like ouch so I’d probably say it’s not for anyone that’s too young for the age rating or anyone who’s really squeamish. The story kept me intrigued throughout even though I think this is the second or so time that I’ve watched it. I would say though it would have been better if they cut off the last 5 or so minutes of the film as it just doesn’t seem to fit, though I think they did it so the film didn’t end up on a downer. Yeah it’s a good film and worth a watch if you haven’t seen it.

Rating: ***

Last Christmas (12A) – what’s it about? Girl meets guy and she falls for him and it changes her whole outlook on life.

Ok so I really wasn’t going to see this one as I thought ugh another sappy love story and it’s a Christmas one to boot so I can’t think of much else worse than this. But a friend of mine saw it and talked me around to going to watch it, and well I was pleasantly surprised by it. It definitely had its moments and it was quite amusing throughout and of course heart-warming, even though I could see the plot coming a mile off. This is definitely a chick flick, a good blanket and tub of ice cream is calling…and don’t forget the obligatory box of tissues.

Rating: ****

Knives Out (12A) – what’s it about? A murder takes place and a Private Investigator is called to solve the crime.

This is basically like watching Cluedo or one of those old school murder mysteries, which in this day and age is quite refreshing to see as it’s not like all the other films out at the moment. I usually love a good mystery movie or show where you have to try to figure things out as it goes on, but I did find this a little underwhelming, it was pretty predicable but at the same time it was a fun watch. If you like a bit of mystery or want to watch something a little different then I’d get out your magnify glass and check this one out.

Rating: ***

Gremlins (2019 35^th Anniversary) (12A) – what’s it about? Billy gets given a new pet by his father and he doesn’t follow the rules so all hell breaks loose.

So the cinema is currently showing Gremlins which has been remastered for its 35^th anniversary so I thought this could be quite cool to see so I decided to check it out. Now sadly I was a little young when this was released, so I was really looking forward to getting to see this on the big screen rather than just the small one. It was an awesome film back in the day and to see it again brought back a lot of good memories. They’ve done good work upgrading it but because of its age it was still a bit dated, that said though it was totally worth seeing it again!

Rating: ***

Hotel Transylvania (DVD – PG) – what’s it about? Dracula’s daughter comes of age and she meets a human boy and falls in love.

I hadn’t see this until now, and my friends kind of mocked me when the 3^rd one come out as in they thought I would have been all over it being the mopey goth adult, but nah I missed it in the cinema and never got it until now. I now totally regret not seeing this sooner, it was freaking awesome, so amusing and well just general cartoon fun really. It was just a fun story and nicely done, it would definitely be one that your kids will love (unless they are complete scaredy cats). It was really nice to see, as the only other spooky cartoon out like this has been The Addams Family. If you haven’t see it and like things childly spooky then you should totally check this one out.

Rating: ****