Weekly Watch: Mockingjay Part 1 Trailer

As the next sequel in The Hunger Games films dawns closer, it’s trailer time as the Mockingjay Part 1 trailer is released. The trailer, named ‘The Mockingjay Lives’, features a large amount of drama with the districts going to war with the Capitol.

After breaking out of the games, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her fellow tributes, family and friends battle against the Capitol for a better life. However, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) is left behind under the capture of the Capitol and Katniss is determined to set him free.

Mockingjay Part 1 is the third film in the sequel which is based on the series of books by Suzanne Collins.

If the trailer is anything to go by, Mockingjay Part 1 is sure to be a hit with The Hunger Games fans.Although, splitting the book into two films is most likely going to result in part 1 ending with a huge cliffhanger! (If you’ve read the books, this won’t annoy you as much as those who haven’t!)

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 is to be released in cinemas on November 21st. 

Russell Howard at Bristol Zoo

Russell Howard in the limelight. Photo courtesy of digitalspy.co.uk

Stand-up comedian, Russell Howard, took to the stage at Bristol Zoo Gardens on Saturday Night. He put on a hilarious performance and the show was worth every penny.

The zoo is not a conventional venue for stand-up comedy but it certainly was a good one with ticket holders having the opportunity to visit the animals beforehand. The unique night was named ‘Giggle for Gorillas’ in aid of raising money for Gorilla conservation.

Russell Howard is a stand-up comedian from Bristol who is well known for his TV show ‘Russell Howard’s Good News‘ and his many appearances on ‘Mock the Week‘.

The night was held together by Mark Olver who had the audience laughing throughout as he filled the gaps between the stand-up acts. Olver is well-known as a television warm-up act and has worked on many shows including Bristol’s very own Deal or No Deal, 8 out of 10 Cats, Vicar of Dibley and Jonathan Ross. He bounced off the audience’s energy and had every person hysterically laughing.

Howard was joined by a variety of comedic guests including Steve Williams, comedian and fellow writer of ‘Russell Howard’s Good News’. The welsh funny-man made jokes the audience could relate to about everyday life and his home town of Newport.

Steve Hall also joined the line-up with a focus on his childhood and a slideshow to accompany him. Hall was hilarious and had the audience giggling away.

George Rigden also took to the stage with his guitar and jokes. He began with a comedic song, told some jokes in the middle and even attempted to woo a lady in the audience by singing her a funny love song.

When it was Russell Howard’s time to headline, the audience went wild and he did not disappoint by having the audience laughing until they cried. A large focus of the comedy was on his family including pulling pranks on his Mum, his younger brother running round Naked as a child and going on holiday with his mum.

Russell is clearly a down to earth man who has a love for his home town of Bristol and his family. He was hilarious and lived up to his witty appearance on TV.

Howard returned to the stage for an encore which resulted in unrehearsed jokes with the audience. Mark Olver jumped into the crowd with a microphone so the banter could be heard by all. It was a great way to finish the show and really involved the audience.

Russell Howard is about to embark on four sold-out nights at the Bristol Hippodrome and Bristol Zoo Gardens was the perfect place to warm-up for his Bristol shows. If you’re lucky enough to have a ticket, you are in for a funny treat!

American Hustle Review

Anybody going to see American Hustle has high expectations even before seeing the film due to its star-studded cast, numerous award nominations and remarkable reception. The film takes you back to the late 70’s and allows you to follow the lives of the best con artists in town.

Christian Bale takes the lead in a role far from his comfort zone playing conman, Irving Rosenfield, who makes his fortune through money-loaning scams and forged pieces of arts. Irving meets the charming Sydney Prosser, played by Man of Steel star Amy Adams, and falls deeply in love with her despite being married to Jennifer Lawrence’s character, Rosalyn.

Irving and Sydney team up to become a scamming double act and the charm of a lady boosts business until FBI agent, Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), catches them in the act. DiMaso offers to drop the charges if they help him make four additional arrests which sets the pair off on their biggest con to date.

With laughs and tears along the way, Irving and Sydney team up with Richie to con themselves out of jail but will Irving’s wife, Rosalyn, stand in the way of their relationship, or will they live happily ever after?

The film covers a range of genres with drama, comedy, crime and romance which appeals to a large variety of people. Although, it could be criticised to cover too many genres in a broad manner. If this is the only criticism I can come up with then it must be a masterful film.

The acting performances from the cast are impressive with Bale stepping away from his usual smooth and handsome character and giving a superb performance as the not so attractive conman. Adams, Lawrence and Cooper also give outstanding performances which are certain to entice the audience.

American Hustle won three Golden Globes at this month’s award ceremony receiving the Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical and the female cast members stole the show with Amy Adams winning Best Actress and Jennifer Lawrence being awarded Best Supporting Actress. The film is nominated for ten Academy Awards at next month’s Oscars. It will be interesting to see if they steal the spotlight once again. 

Director, David O’Russell, creates a remarkable film which will have you intrigued, laughing and shocked. You can catch American Hustle at your local cinema now.

Stars: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner.

Director: David O’Russell.

Film Classification: 15.

Released: 01/01/13

Running Time: 138 minutes.

The Hunger Games Sequel Ignites

The first footage from the highly anticipated Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire, has been released. Returning to our screens will be Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark as their victory causes a rebellion of the Districts vs The Capitol.

After, Katniss and Peeta, the district 12 tributes, win The Hungers Games together, the Capitol are not too pleased with their act of rebellion. The girl on fire and her Mockingjay pin become a symbol of hope and revolution. How will the game makers restore order in the districts?

The teaser trailer looks as if the film will live up to the success of The Hunger Games with it’s dramatic storyline, extravagant costumes and romance.

For readers of the book the film adaptation must be an accurate representation of the story and live up to the picture in every reader’s head.

Fans can expect the films to hit their screens on the 22nd of November 2013. Will Catching Fire be the film of the year as expected?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyPnQw_Lqds – The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Trailer courtesy of TheHungerGamesMovie

By Danielle Ricketts