Stephen Fry: HIV & Me

Stephen Fry: HIV & Me

Review: This documentary is quite old, but no less relevant as it's dealing with HIV and Aids, and the impact it still has on our society in this day and age. A recommended watch!

Rating: 6/10

Hunger

Hunger

Review: A very strong film about Bobby Sands, and his hunger strike back in 1981. It's not really strong because of the story itself because I felt that is was not the most interestingly made movie, but to see Michael Fassbender's transformation was really touching.

Rating: 6/10

Whites

I don't like shows that are cancelled after only one season. Or to be honest, I don't like when they cancel shows that I like at least. There's one good thing about it though, you never have the time to get sick of the show. And that's the case with Whites. The reason I decided to watch it was simple, it featured Alan Davies.  I never seen him act before and wasn't quite sure what to expect. But it was a pleasant surprise, and he is great as the lead character. Do you like cooking shows and British humour? Give the six episodes of Whites a chance.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Review: If there is something that Lasse Hallström's really good at, it's making feelgood movies. And Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is no different. It's not one of his best movies, far from it. The story, that is based on a novel by the same name, is a bit too weak for my taste. But the mood, the acting and the pace is just right for making it a pleasant viewing.

Rating: 7/10

The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises

Review: Finally it was time for me to sit down and watch The Dark Knight Rises. I've been looking forward to this one for a long time, so I was really psyched about seeing it. And I wasn't disappointed. But, at the same time I kind of was. I mean, it was a really good movie, and in that sense it didn't let me down. But I don't think it lives up to all the hype that it got. I also have to say that the character Bane really disappointed me. I had definitely expected more from him. All in all though, a very enjoyable escape from reality.

Rating: 6.5/10

Dara O Briain - This Is the Show

Dara O Briain - This Is the Show

Review: Dara O Briain is one of many British comedians that I've discovered through the amazing tv show QI. I quickly liked his Irish style and his clever sense of humour, and when I stumbled across this show that he made 2010, I just had to see it. And it was funny. More or less all the way through actually. Do you want some warm and funny comedy, look no further than this.

Rating: 7/10

Indie Game: The Movie

Indie Game: The Movie

Review: This is a really good documentary about independent game developers, and their struggles, dreams and love for the art form. It's very warm and heartfelt, and I recommend this one strongly.

Rating: 7.5/10

The Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man

Review: I must start off by saying that I don't really see the point of this movie about Spider-Man. It's not like we haven't seen this one before. But with that being said, I have to say that it was well worth watching, especially on a day when you want something action packed and with great effects. I don't know if Andrew Garfield can compete with Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, but he did good anyway. Emma Stone is always a pleasure to watch. I think I have a bit of a crush on her to be honest. 

Rating: 6/10

Tillsammans

Tillsammans

Review: This is a movie that most of my Swedish friends probably are surprised that I haven't seen yet. It came out 12 years ago and was a huge success here. The main reason for me not watching it before is that I never been a big fan of Swedish films and there are a lot of them I haven't seen. This weekend however I finally saw it. Did I like it? Well, I got quite a few laughs out of it, and some of the characters was really charming. Since I'm born in the 70s there's also a lot of things that I recognize from that time. It was a charming film, even though it was highly predictable from the get go. Worth watching though.

Rating: 5.5/10

Hotel Transylvania

Hotel Transylvania

Review: Let me start off by saying: I hated dubbed movies! Nothing can destroy a movie more than that. And this one was dubbed. The reason behind me watching it with Swedish voices was that I saw it at the cinema with my friend and her 8 year old son. But with that being said, I must say that this one was quite charming nevertheless. Simple entertainment and it produced a couple of smiles. If I just could have got rid of all the kids and their parents around me in the theater.

Rating: 5/10

Bad Education

I love stumbling across good new shows. And by accident earlier today I discovered Bad Education because of Jake Whitehall, who I fell in love with in the show Fresh Meat. So far I've seen the first 3 episodes and I'm loving it! Can't wait to get through the last shows in a day or two.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Review: Of course I had to watch this one. Based on Seth Grahame-Smith's novel by the same name. He's also the man responsible for the novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. This is the story of Abraham Lincoln, and his less known calling as a vampire hunter. It sounds really silly, and it is. But it's at least well made and not too bad, considering. Cheap entertainment.

Rating: 4.5/10

Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man

Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man

Review: In keeping with the last few days theme, I just watched the 3 episodes long documentary Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man. In 2009 Eddie Izzard ran 43 marathons in 51 days for the charity Sport Relief. It's a truly inspirational story showing how much pure will and determination can achieve despite all odds. Not inspirational enough to make me want to try a marathon, but still. 

Rating: 7/10

Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story

Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story

Review: Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story is a documentary that both covers Eddie Izzard's rise to fame and his childhood, as well as dealing with the task of creating an entirely new show without using any of his old material. It's perhaps not a very interesting documentary in some ways, but what makes it entertaining is Eddie himself. He really comes across as a genuine and warm person that is not afraid to show who he is. And since I also see him as one of my absolute favourite comedians of all time, a documentary like this is always worth watching. 

Rating: 6/10

Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise Kingdom

Review: The characters, the cinematography, the colours, the actors, the surroundings, the story. There is always something quite special about Wes Anderson's films. Moonrise Kingdom might not be one of his best productions, but it's still better than most films out there nowadays. That says quite a lot about his skills as a movie maker. I don't know if I get very captured by the story in this one, but the acting from Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman is a true pleasure to behold. 

Rating: 7/10

Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages

Review: Hmm, what can you really say about this movie? Weird, funny and embarrasing kind of covers it all I guess. An 80's rock musical featuring people such as Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti and Russell Brand can never really be excellent, but still entertaining. If you're going to watch this one, you need to take it all with a big pinch of salt or you will squire to death more or less.

Rating: 4.5/10

Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap

Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap

Review: Usually I stay away from hip hop documentaries nowadays, since most of them cover the same thing over and over again without adding anything new. But when I heard that Ice T had made one, I felt that I had to check it out. After all, he's after all a legend on the scene and it would be interesting to see what he could come up with. And it's a good watch, basically because of all the people that he talk to in the documentary. A true all-star list of artists, from the originators to today's stars. Didn't get to know anything new this time around either, but I hadn't too big expectations regarding that.

Rating: 5/10

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Review: Ah, a really good feelgood movie! Some movies in this cathegory easily becomes cliche, but this one walks the line perfectly. Much because of the amazing cast. A real recommendation!

Rating: 7.5/10

ParaNorman

ParaNorman

Review: I honestly don't really know what I thought of this film. It was charming at times, funny at times but not really much more than that. Zombies are always a plus though.

Rating: 5/10

Eddie Izzard: Live at Madison Square Garden

Eddie Izzard: Live at Madison Square Garden

Review: How can one not love Eddie Izzard? His live shows are always amazing and this one is no different. Just watch it!

Rating: 7/10

The Expendables 2

The Expendables 2

Review: You knew I couldn't stay away. I mean, as wonderfully bad as The Expendables was, I just couldn't leave the sequal alone. This time around, the all-star cast of action heroes from last time has been joined by Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude van Damme. The only one missing now is Steven Seagal and the cast would be complete. The movie then? Over the top action, bad dialogue and testosterone overload. Just as expected.

Rating: 3/10

Attack of the 50ft Cheerleader

Attack of the 50ft Cheerleader

Review: Ah, sometimes you're just in the mood for something that Roger Corman has been involved with. He's one of the true masters of low budget B-movies, and Attack of the 50ft Cheerleader is no different. Is the movie any good? Well, it's about as good as the title itself. In other words: stupid, funny and not very good at all. I love it!

Rating: 5.5/10

Comedy Exchange

Comedy Exchange was a British tv show that the channel Dave was considering back in 2010. They made a pilot episode but after that nothing seem to have happened. It's about 2 comedians from different countries performing in each others countries and each others audiences. In the pilot we get to see Phill Jupitus and Eugene Mirman. It was kind of entertaining, especially since I really like Phill Jupitus. But the show felt like it lacked something, and it never really got too interesting. Perhaps that's why nothing seem to have happened with the show after that. Still, I'm glad I watched it.

No More Beaver Falls & Lilyhammer

I just watched the last episode of Beaver Falls second season. I don't know if there will be a third season, and quite frankly, right now I don't care. The show, with its charm, really ran out of steam during the second season, so if a third season comes I won't be watching it.

After that I watched the fifth episode of Lilyhammer. I was suspecting when I started watching the show that it wouldn't last long for me, and I was right. It's honestly a bad show. All it has to offer is small cultural jokes that works at times but in the long run it's just stupid. No more Lilyhammer for me.

Dark Shadows

Dark Shadows

Review: The combination of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp rarely fails. And it doesn't fail here either. But with that being said, I can't say that I was very impressed with Dark Shadows. An ok watch, but that was about it I'm afraid.

Rating: 5.5/10

Lilyhammer

Yesterday I got around to watching the first episode of the Norwegian-American tv series Lilyhammer. I had very low expectations sitting down in front of it, but it actually was ok. I don't think I will like it though after 3-4 episodes, but up until then I will be entertained at least.

Jay & Silent Bob Get Old: Tea Baggin in the UK

Jay & Silent Bob Get Old: Tea Bagging in the UK

Review: I really do like Kevin Smith, and I'm always happy to watch something with him and Jason Mewes. This live show from London however is mostly boring though. Too much of Jason for my taste.

Rating: 4/10

Newsroom

I just watched the season finale of Newsroom, and I have to encourage anyone who hasn't seen this show to do it. It's probably the most interesting show that has come out in quite a while.

Big Fan

Big Fan

Review: I really quite liked this one. I can't really say why, but I think some of it has to do with the feeling of it, but mostly because of Patton Oswalt in the lead role as Paul. It's a nice comedy drama with a twist that I can really recommend if you're looking for something a bit different and low key.

Rating: 6.5/10

Conan O'Brien Can't Stop

Conan O'Brien Can't Stop

Review: Conan O'Brien Can't Stop is a documentary focusing on his comedy tour The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour that followed his departure from NBC. It's an interesting documentary letting us see more of the person behind the name and see what drives him. Unfortunately it also feels very unfocused and in the end you're left with an unsatisfied feeling. Definitely worth checking out though if you like me like Conan.

Rating: 5/10