Movie: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

X-Men: Days of Future Past
Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

I love X-Men... need I say more? I don't think so but of course I will...

So many awesome characters, so many awesome actors. We got to see everyone we wanted to see, even if the main X-Men we're used to didn't get that much screen time. I'm a little peeved Anna Paquin got cut to a bare 3 seconds at the end of the film but I'm sure we will see more Rogue in the extras when the DVD is released. Shawn Ashmore as Bobby/Iceman, Daniel Cudmore as Collossus, Booboo Stewart as Warpath, Lucas Till as Havok... and I haven't even brought out the big guns yet!

So the story revolves around Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) of course. I have no idea where Kitty (Ellen Page) got the send-someone-back-in-time power from. Did she have that in the comics? I can't remember... But anyway, she sends Logan back because apparently he's the only one who can handle it. Young Xavier, played by the amazing James McAvoy, is in a bit of a slump after Raven/Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) left him for Erik/Magnito (Michael Fassbender/Ian McKellen).. oh, yeah, and Erik crippled him... So this film is (mostly) set after the events of First Class. Logan has to pull Xavier out of it with the help of Beast (Nicholas Hoult) in order to save both the mutant and human populations from destroying themselves with giant killer robots called Sentinels (seriously, The Matrix again anyone?) designed by antagonist Dr. Trask (Peter Dinklage). Like giant sentient robots are ever a good idea!

Quicksilver was one of the best things about this film. I remember when the trailer came out some people thought he would be lame.. but no, he is awesome! The small part he plays in the film really stuck in my mind and when I watched it recently for the second time, he was just as good. He's played by Evan Peters from American Horror Story who does a fabulous job. Hope we see more of him in the next films. I also thought the meeting of the two Xavier's was excellent, how cool to meet your future self... and who else would be able to kick young Xavier's ass back into gear but older, wiser Xavier (Patrick Stewart)? Stand out performance was definitely James McAvoy.

I'm a little disappointed that Taylor Kitsch's role of Gambit hasn't reappeared. Gambit was always one of my favourite X-Men and the little teaser we got of him in Origins: Wolverine just wasn't enough for me. I would have thought the timeline would be perfect for him too... Bring back Gambit! Also, the reappearance of Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) and Cyclops (James Marsden)! I did a little swoon there but we all knew they were both coming back didn't we? Yes, I watched the cartoons as a kid... And you can't have an X-Men film without Storm (Halle Berry).

I love X-Men. Keep 'em coming. Which X-Men is your favourite? Who do you want to see in the next film? Let me know in the comments!

4 out of 5 Marvels...

TV: Game of Thrones SE4

Game of Thrones
Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

It's been another big season in the Seven Kingdoms! Lots to talk about...

The Wall is under attack from Wildlings... but they're not attacking because they want The Wall, they're attacking because they want to hide behind The Wall from the coming winter and you know... crazy white walking frozen zombies. Mance (Ciaran Hinds) should have said so to Jon Snow (Kit Harington) from the beginning though... not that Jon would have been able to convince Slynt (Dominic Carter) to let them in. Now that Stannis (Stephen Dillane) is there Jon might actually get heard. So, The Wall is won and everyone is like la-di-da... little do they know what's coming for them.

Ygritte (Rose Leslie)... "You know nothin' Jon Snow". *sobs*

Arya (Maisie Williams) is finally leaving the Seven Kingdoms! She just spent the entire season walking across the country with The Hound (Rory McCann)... literally. Remember the Red Wedding season three finale (duh)? Well she was there remember? Just outside when it happened... and so The Hound took her to the Eyrie instead but they were three days too late for Aunt Lysa (Kate Dickie) and no one actually knew that Sansa (Sophie Turner) was there. So they left there too... Then Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) comes along but by that time Arya was like 'screw that' and went her own way, leaving The Hound to die miserably. Now she's off to Bravos finally! Her plot line next season will make up for this one...

Also, we've been having Skinfam Game Of Thrones nights (fun for the whole family!) and we've been arguing all season because none of us can remember what happened to Sandor Clegane in the books... does anyone know? Does he actually die? Comments!

Poor terrorized Sansa Stark finally escaped the Red Keep with the help of the slimy Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen) but was it him who killed Joffrey (Jack Gleeson - who will never work again!) or was it the Lady of Thorns, Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg)? It was very vague in the books too but I always thought it was Olenna, who is one of my favourite characters. She hints at it in the show too when she talks to Margaery (Natalie Dormer), telling her that she would never have let her wed the little shit that was Joffrey. I think Littlefinger may have helped but only to get what it is he wants... Sansa. In the meantime, crazy Lysa sees Littlefinger kiss Sansa and gets batshit crazy jealous, Littlefinger tries to sooth her then promptly pushes her out the moondoor. Then the two of them, in an amazing performance, manage to convince the Eyrie council that she jumped. Freaking fantastic!

And the final Stark, Brandon (Isaac Hempstead Wright). I've read all the books so everything that has happened is not too surprising to me... this was. I did not think that they would have reached the Weirwood already. You know how long Arya has been wondering around? Well Brandon got carried around by Hodor (Kristian Nairn) a billion times further and they still made it to the tree before she even gets to Bravos... This has put a spanner in the workings of my mental timelines... How cool was the Heart Tree guy though? Almost how I pictured him. Keep an eye on Brandon now, I do believe he is the main character of the entire thing!

I don't want to talk too much about the Lannister's except for the final scene of course. Nothing much happened with them... Joffrey finally died to the joy of absolutely everyone except Cersei (Lena Headey) and Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) was as awesome as ever despite spending most of the season locked in a dungeon... and that final scene with Tywin (Charles Dance) and Shae (Sibel Kekilli): perfect! Just how I pictured it!

Not much happened with Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) either. She liberated a few more cities and then spent the rest of her time in hearings for the people. Exciting right? No... There was that moment with Daario (Michiel Huisman - not nearly as pretty as last seasons Daario: Ed Skrein) and the eventual discovery of Jorah's (Iain Glen) betrayal that happened seasons ago. Be prepared for Dany to sit around moping about her dragons and the ongoing liberated slave problems for another season or two...

I have to mention one of my favourite characters, Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal). I loved this character in the books and I love the way he was portrayed in the show as well. It's a shame he doesn't get to hang around for longer but what a scene to go out on! So, so, so good! If someone made a top ten death scenes from GoT, this would be the top one. But do not despair, we shall hear from the Martell's next season, I do believe. That is where Marcella is too, if you missed that part.

So, predictions for next season. Lots of Bran hiding in a hole under a tree listening to the old man lecture. Lots of Tyrian and sailing and shenanigans. Lots of Arya! Her story is one of the most exciting from now on I think, she has some adventures let me tell you! More battles at The Wall and a little bit of intrigue as well. Stannis will hang around there for a while too I think. There will be a surprise appearance by an old friend and quite a few new characters will be introduced from Dorne.

That's enough Game of Thrones for this season. It was renewed for season five and six right at the beginning of this season. They are catching up and in some places overtaking the books! Speaking of which... what was with Craster's babies? That wasn't in the books!

'Til next season!

5 out of 5 splattered heads...

Movie: Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)

Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Every time they make a new Ice Age movie I always think, not another Ice Age movie.... I don't know why, they're always hilariously funny and I laugh my guts up. I especially love - like everyone else -  how the squirrel starts everything from the Ice Age itself to the Continental Drift. Soooooo funneh!

The fourth installment has all our favorite characters; Manny (Ray Romano), Sid (John Leguizamo), Diego (Denis Leary) and Ellie (Queen Latifah). Looking through the cast list, it's pretty amazing! The voices of Jennifer Lopez, Peter Dinklage, Nicki Minaj, Aziz Ansari, Alan Tudyk, Seann William Scott, Wanda Sykes and Simon Pegg. Woah! Just look at that list, everyone wants in on the Ice Age! Brilliant!

The chipmunks! I freaking love the chipmunks! *ahem* Sorry 'bout that outburst....

Awesome, loved it, need to do an Ice Age marathon now... *twitch*

5 out of 5 acorns....

Fave Character - Nick Frost - Flynn, the elephant seal.