Thom McKiernan (thommck)

A very enjoyable, funny and festive movie perfect for this time of year.
Everyone knows the story but I should warn you that my 8 year old son was terrified of the ghost of Scrooge's business partner, Marley and announced that he wanted to "get out of the cinema right now". He also hid a lot during the Ghost of Things to Come. It made me jump too a couple of times.
The CGI is really impressive most of the time although many of the female characters looked like they came from Shrek and the final ghost was a bit too metallic for my liking. I also found it difficult at times to follow what was being said, mainly due to the use of the old Dickensian verse. The 3D was really good when Scrooge flew back in time and the snow felt like it was actually falling on you.
You'll walk out after wanting to find some mince pies, chestnuts and mulled wine, however, Pizza Hut was all we could find ;-)

A solid musical with some great acting from Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy. They break out into song a little too easily but I suppose that comes with the territory. The story is actually quite an interesting history on how black artists went mainstream and what happens when you try to mix business with pleasure.
I found myself drifting off a bit during the final songs but it was a good fun film most of the time with some decent characters

You need to see this movie

Possibly my favourite movie of the decade! This film mixes a load of genres into one completely enthralling roller-coaster of a movie. I was captivated by the journey that the unlikeable lead-male, Wikus, goes on. I went from hating him, to loving him and backwards and forwards wondering if he could redeem himself. The amazing special effects are so realistic you forget that it's not really aliens mingling amongst human life. This is very gritty stuff but has some great humour and explosive action. Every time I went to nip out to the toilet something else would happen on-screen to keep me gripped to my seat! My wife was in tears next to me at some of the scenes in the slum and touching moments between the lead alien and his son. The story finishes perfectly but I demand a sequel!