Nancy Drew - review

We all know Nancy Drew: an amateur sleuth who solves mysteries and crimes that no police department seem capable of solving. Starting off as a character in books written by Carolyn Keene, Nancy is now the subject of a movie starring Emma Roberts.

As a teenager with a passion for mysteries, at the start of the movie Nancy finds herself as a hostage during a church robbery in her home town of River Heights, but after sneaking away from the robbers and abseiling down the side of the building thanks to wire she happened to have in her bag, she’s celebrated once again as the one who solved the crime.

But as the town sing her praises again, Nancy and her father leave to move to Los Angeles for her father’s work. As her father asks her to be a normal teenager and stop sleuthing, Nancy finds herself in the middle of an unsolved case when they rent the former home of an actress who disappeared years before and on her return was then found dead during a party.

Unable to stop her mind working overtime, Nancy investigates the house with all its secret passages determined to find out if Dehlia’s death was an accident or something more, but when Nancy receives threatening phone calls and discovers a bomb in her car, she realises she’s trying to uncover something someone else wants to keep hidden.

Despite the threats, Nancy and her friends resolve to find out what really happened all those years ago and bring justice to Dehlia, but with her father imploring her to not sleuth; can she do it without him noticing?

This was a fun movie which was completely unrealistic, but worth a watch.

Taxi (2004) - review

Queen Latifah is Belle, a New York bike courier whose skills on wheels are the envy of the team. But Belle is ready to give it all up to take charge of 4 wheels and own her very own taxi cab.

With her new wheels being her pride and joy, Belle knows she will enjoy speeding through the streets in her modified – and illegal – cab putting all the others to shame, but what she doesn’t plan on is being caught up in a police investigation.

Bumbling New York cop Washburn has blown his last chance with his lieutenant as his latest car crash makes his total 3 and results in his licence being taken away. With a series of bank robberies taking place, Washburn wants to be in on the action, but without a car he’s at a loss until he hails a cab and not just any cab, Belle’s cab.

Together with Washburn’s determination to prove himself as a cop and Belle’s driving skills as well as knowledge of the streets, they team up to track down the gang of Brazilian thieves working their way round New York’s banks. But with Washburn’s lieutenant hot on their heels, they have a race on their hands if they’re to catch them first and claim the glory for the arrest.

This comedy was fun and had laugh out loud moments which made it a great watch. Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon had great on-screen chemistry which helped and made it a definite movie to watch.

Stormbreaker - review

Living with his uncle who’s always away on business, Alex Rider has no idea what his uncle’s job is, but when he’s killed in action and Alex is recruited by MI6 to help stop a computer virus being released, he’s shocked to learn he didn’t really know his uncle at all.

Informed by MI6 that his uncle was training him all his life with skills such as martial arts and scuba diving, Alex is reluctant to leave his life with housekeeper Jack (Alicia Silverstone) to work with them, but when he gets the chance to go up against the people responsible for his uncle’s death, he agrees.

As Alex goes undercover as a computer genius in order to learn about a new computer software being launched, he discovers the scientist behind the new technology has a grudge against the Prime Minister after being teased at school and is using the launch of the new computer to release a deadly virus across all the schools in England to get his revenge.

With all his skills called upon as he battles to stop England being infected, Alex realises why his uncle wasn’t around for him but that he also did all he could to protect and prepare him for any eventuality and now that he’s no longer around, it’s now up to Alex to carry on the ‘Rider’ name.

Based on the novels by Anthony Horowitz, I found this action adventure movie an enjoyable watch which gives the younger generation a taste of James Bond.

You Again - review

Marnie (Kristen Bell) hated high school. Battling bullies and braces, she escaped her home town as soon as she could and forged out a successful career in PR. But when she returns home for her brother’s wedding, she is shocked to discover his fiancée was her high school bully.

With Joanna seemingly having changed her ways, Marnie’s not convinced and is determined to prove that Joanna isn’t the nice girl everyone thinks she is. But when the families meet up, it turns out Marnie isn’t the only one facing a face from the past as her mum and Joanna’s aunt also went to school together.

As the two families play along at being friendly, Marnie & Gail (Jamie Lee Curtis) can’t forget high school and know now’s the time to get revenge. So with everyone competing against each other, the run up to the wedding is anything but smooth resulting in a lot of laugh out loud moments. 

But when Marine interrupts the rehearsal dinner with a video showing Joanna’s true colours, the wedding is immediately called off, leaving her wondering whether she did the right thing or if it’s time to leave the past where it belongs?

A great girl’s movie with humour and fun attached. With a great cast, this movie made me smile and showed how sometimes what happens in high school can stay with you for life.

Great fun.

The Brass Teapot - review

Young married couple Alice & John Macey are struggling for money. As John spends his days working in telesales, Alice attends interviews with no luck, but although they know they need money to survive, they are still as in love as possible.

When they’re out on a drive they are hit by another car causing them to spin out of control and while thankfully they’re both ok, something catches Alice’s eye – a brass teapot in a small antiques shop by the side of the road. Drawn to its intricate detail, Alice is tempted to steal it and makes off with it without getting caught.

Back at home while getting ready for another interview, Alice accidentally burns herself with curling tongs and sees the teapot shake. Opening it she sees a handful of notes and realises that the teapot produces money when someone gets hurt.

Desperately in debt, Alice and John resolve to do all they can to get as much money as possible resulting in them becoming rich quickly and flashing their money around, but when their house is broken into by a couple of guys willing to kill for the teapot they realise they’re in over their heads – just how far will they go to remain rich?

A fun movie which although was quite ‘out there’, I really enjoyed.

Election - review

High school teen Tracey Flick is a dedicated student who is determined to win the upcoming election for school president no matter what it takes. With her high grades and popularity she is the obvious choice and has no concerns about winning as she’s the only candidate!

Jim McAllister is an equally dedicated teacher who takes the time to help his students reach their potential. But when he learns Tracey is running for president, something from their shared past makes him determined to scupper her chances and he drums up some competition in the form of fellow students.

School comedy starring a young Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick & Chris Klein.