Paul

This is a Simon Pegg and Nick Frost co-written Sci Fi comedy that tells the tale of two lads visiting the US comic con and touring the US UFO hot-spots. On their travels they have their own close encounter of the 3rd Kind with an escapee of Area 51 the alien of the title Paul voiced by Seth Rogan. A prisoner for over 60 years they are persuaded to assist him in his attempts to reunite with his mother ship.
      As you can tell this is a love letter to Spielberg's ET and Close Encounters of the third Kind. Simon Peggs previous collaborations Sean of the Dead and Hot Fuzz have been with Edgar Wright. This time Greg Mottola directs with a more laid back less frenetic style which suits the tale being told. This gives the film a heart so don't be put off by the films trailers which highlight the more profane and crude elements which though present and lead to some of the best laughs this film  has a real heart. Paul comes cross as the perfect foil for Mr Pegg and Frost.
    I loved this movie, it seems a natural extension of their Spaced relationship and for once Nick Frost is the more intelligent of our heroes.
    This has a great cast, some inspired moments and though it starts off slow once on the road this film gathers pace leading to a great chase in the last third and laugh out ending.
   I saw this late in the game, but it made up for a lackluster two weeks of releases. Much of which has been spent catching up with my wishlist of missed cinema opportunities from last year courtesy of the Rialto channel so more to follow.

Thor 3D Review

This latest Marvel character to reach the big screen does so with an Epic and energetic debut which sets it apart from his predecessors.
     A powerful but arrogant warrior, Thor ( Chris Hemsworth)  is cast out from Asgard by his father Odin for reigniting an age old conflict with the Frost Giants. Banished to Earth stripped of his powers he must learn humility and what it is to be human with the assistance of Jane Foster (Natalie Portman)
     Employing Kenneth Branagh to direct is inspired, from Henry V, through to Pete's Friends and Hamlet this is an actor who has proved himself an excellant director and visual stylist. He has proved he can mix character and spectacle which this film calls for. Though some characters yearn for fleshing out such as the warriors 3 no doubt to keeping things at a fast pace there is so much that is right. Tom Hiddelston as Thor's brother Loki is well fleshed out and three dimensional. Anthony Hopkins brings a commanding performance to Odin conflicted by his roles of Father and leader. Also Stellan Skarsgard as Erik Selvig and Idris Elba's Heimdall warrant special mention. In fact the casting is what makes this film.
    Thor's abilities on the page could have translated to the big screen as ridiculous in lesser hands but in this they are eye candy.
    This film delivers, it has weight, spectacle and leave's you wanting more. My only critism is the use of 3D. In some scenes it is well used, but in the darker scenes is hardly noticeable. So its down to choice if you see the 3D version of 2D. You will not really be missing out. Roll on Captain America I eagerly await his arrival.