Robin Hood (2010)

Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac
Genre: adventure
Certificate: 12
Rating: ***

More a prequel to the Robin Hood legend than a story of the legend itself, Robin Hood will please some and disappoint others. Many people have disagreed with the choice of Crowe as Robin Hood - however, I must point out now that, although nowhere near as good as he was in Gladiator, Crowe does a good job of proving others wrong. He is fantastic, and his on-screen chemistry with Blanchett is definitely there.

The main let-down with this film is that it simply comes across as average: good script, but not amazing; good plot, but not amazing; good cinematography, but not amazing. The characters do not really seem developed enough either - not just the main ones, but also the supporting roles. Saying that, there are many laughs in all the right places (mostly by Hood's henchmen), and this coupled with great acting performances causes this film to be something slightly more than 'average' - it makes it enjoyable to watch.

One last thing - women need to stop coming to fight in the final battles. It works with Eowyn in The Lord of the Rings, but really, Marian would not have been trained to fight, and would most likely have been killed within two minutes. In those days, it simply would not have happened.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Title: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Jim Broadbent, Alan Rickman, Tom Felton, Helena Bonham-Carter
Genre: Fantasy-adventure
Certificate: 12
Rating: **** (awesome)

The sixth installment of the Harry Potter film series is the first one in which I have thought of the film as a piece of art. It is a shame there are only two films left to continue it with. Daniel Radcliffe's acting is a lot better as well. Equus must have been the right choice for him.

There are many scenes in the film which are more beautiful than I could have imagined - for example, although they left out Dumbledore's funeral in the film, when he died, every single Hogwarts student and professor raises their wand up in the air, lighting the tip at the same time. This is the moment in which I sobbed my heart out. Ginny and Harry's kiss is also fantastic, although predictable, and so is the scene in which The Burrow is burned down. I could keep listing the beautiful moments, but I would end up including the whole film.

The only problem I have is that there is not enough action - the film is more like a dramatic love story (including teenage awkwardness that actually does exist) rather than a battle against Voldemort. Also, for those who have never read the books, understanding Horcruxes would be extremely difficult for them, as they are not explained properly in the films like they are in the books.

This film is a must-see.