Stepmom starring Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon is not the sort of film I would usually sit down to watch, but after having caught the start of it on Film4 last night I thought I would give it a go. I’m glad I did as this emotional drama from 1998 was brilliantly acted and a real must watch for those who haven’t seen it yet.

Anna and Ben’s parents divorce and their father (Ed Harris) begins dating another woman; Isabel Kelly (Julia Roberts) she is nothing like their mother Jackie (Susan Sarandon) and is career focused and independent.

Both the children and their mother struggle to come to terms with this new woman in their lives but when Jackie is diagnosed with a severe form of cancer the family must learn to work together to ensure the best possible outcome from this horrendous situation.

Some of the scenes in this film are truly heartbreaking, I defy anyone to watch this and not shed at least the tiniest of tears at one point.

The scenes where Jackie must tell her family about her illness and the final messages she leaves for them all are filled with so much emotion and Susan Sarandon does a fantastic job of playing a woman desperate to hang on to every last moment that life can give her. She is believable and completely convincing in her role, as is Julia Roberts who seems a little stuffy at first but soon delivers a brilliant and touching performance as ‘the other woman’ who eventually becomes a friend and confidant to Jackie.

Directed by Chris Columbus, the man behind the Harry Potter movies and such classics as Home Alone and The Goonies this is a refreshing change of style from a great director and a must watch for anyone who enjoys emotional dramas with a touching and genuinely interesting storyline.

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Full cast list for the film Stepmom: Alice Liu, Amina Asep, Andre B. Blake, Andrea Dolloff, Annett Esser, Anthony Grasso, Chad Lavinio, Charlie Christman, Chuck Montgomery, Darrell Larson, David Zayas, Dylan Michaels, Ed Harris, Eleanor Columbus, Electra Telesford, George Masters, Holly Schenck, Jack Eagle, James Ostrofsky, Jason Maves, Jena Malone, Jennifer Best, Jessica M. Osias, John Sadowski, Jordan Gochros, José Ramón Rosario, Julia Roberts, Julie Lancaster, Lauma Zemzare, Lee Shepherd, Liam Aiken, Lu Celania Sierra, Lynn Whitfield, Mak Gilchrist, Mary Louise Wilson, Matthew Doudounis, Michelle Hurst, Michelle L. Brady, Michelle Stone, Monique Rodrique, Naama Kates, Rex Hays, Rob London, Robert F. Alvarado, Robin Fusco, Russel Harper, Sal Mistretta, Sebastian Rand, Susan Sarandon, Zachary M. Hasak.

I just recently watched the classic Tom Hanks films ‘The Burbs’ on ITV 2. I have always loved this movie and remember watching it when it first came out back in 1989 so watching it again was great fun.

Is it just me that thinks that although this movie is incredibly cheesy now, it is possibly one of Tom Hanks funniest and imaginative of movies?

The basic storyline revolves around, a strange and mysterious family called ‘The Klopeks’ who move into your average suburban neighbourhood.

Their presence soon arouses the suspicions of a number of the residents, namely Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks) who along with a group of his other crazy neighbourhood friends decide to take matters into their own hands and prove that they are really hiding a deep and disturbing secret in the basement of their house.

As the strange noises from the basement get increasingly louder, and the Klopeks behaviour becomes more and more bizarre the residents soon set up their own plan to break into the house and find out the truth for themselves.

This is tongue in cheek humour at its best, the thing I love about ‘The Burbs’ is as well as being insanely cheesy and extremely comical it is actually a little creepy!

The film does put you on edge and keep you wondering all the way through and the final scene is a real classic moment with Ray and The Dr in the back of the ambulance.

Tom Hanks gives a great early performance in one of more laid back roles and it is great to see actors such as Cory Feldman on screen in their prime after the hit ‘The Goonies’ that just about every kid grew up knowing and loving him for.

The Burbs may be a little too creepy for younger kids but teenagers and adults will find it one of those movies that despite being a little dated, still manages to entertain you right the way through. Watch it if you have a spare hour or two and let it remind you of some of those fantastic 80’s films that we all grew up with!

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Full cast list for The Burbs: Archie Hahn, Arnold F. Turner, Bill Stevenson, Billy Jayne, Brenda Benner, Brother Theodore, Bruce Dern, Carey Scott, Carrie Fisher, Corey Feldman, Cory Danziger, Courtney Gains, Dana Olsen, Dick Miller, Franklyn Ajaye, Gale Gordon, Gary Hays, Gigi Vorgan, Heather Haase, Henry Gibson, Jeffrey Kramer, Kevin Gage, Leigh French, Lynne Marie Stewart, Moosie Drier, Nicky Katt, Patrika Darbo, Phyllis Katz, Rance Howard, Rick Ducommun, Robert Picardo, Sonny Carl Davis, Tom Hanks, Tracy Newman, Wendy Schaal.

Grey’s Anatomy is a fantastic medical drama that is taking the world by storm. I only recently started watching it but have now ended up becoming totally hooked!

The series follows a group of medical interns at Seattle Grace Hospital as they train to become surgeons. It boasts an absolutely fantastic cast list including Ellen Pompeo as Meredith, Patrick Dempsey as Dr Shepard (Mc Dreamy) and Eric Dane as Dr Mark Sloan (Mc Steamy).

I’m a huge fan of the TV series ER and honestly thought that nothing could top that, but now I’m not so sure!

Grey’s Anatomy has this perfect combination of drama, realism and comic timing and it doesn’t shy away from sensitive issues. It has spawned some of the funniest character nicknames and catchphrases in TV history including “Seriously? Seriously!” and the various ‘Mc’ nicknames that they have featured for different characters, Mc Steamy, Mc Dreamy and Mc Vet to name but a few!

Currently up to season 3 the show hasn’t been without its fair share of off screen dramas either.

We have heard of various cast arguments but the one to receive the most media attention recently was when Isaiah Washington (Dr Burke) made derogatory and racist remarks about his co star T.R Knight (George). This lead to him being forced to make a public apology and ultimately he was fired. I personally think that his comments were totally uncalled for and completely out of order but I do think the show will suffer from the loss of such a great character.

I’m looking forward to watching more of the show and seeing what further character development we see down the line. The storylines just keep getting better and better right now and it beats other medical shows out there hands down. If you haven’t seen Grey’s Anatomy yet for yourself check it out ASAP, highly recommended!

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Full cast list for Grey’s Anatomy: Aasha Davis, Amy Brenneman, Andre Panossian, Anjul Nigam, Anna Maria Horsford, Ariel Felix, Becky Wahlstrom, Bellamy Young, Billy Mayo, Billy Wood, Brian Chenoweth, Brian Tee, Brooke Blanchard, Brooke Smith, Cameron Watson, Cathy Lind Hayes, Chad Fish, Chandra Wilson, Charles Duckworth, Chris Lowell, Chris O’Donnell, Christina Ricci, Chyler Leigh, Cress Williams, Curtis Armstrong, D.W. Moffett, Danielle Kennedy, David Anders, David Paluck, Dean Norris, Debra Monk, Derek Phillips, Diahann Carroll, Elaine Kao, Elizabeth Reaser, Ellen Pompeo, Eric Dane, Garon Grigsby, Gary Hershberger, George Dzundza, Greg Pitts, Hallee Hirsh, Helene McCardle, Isaiah Washington, Jack Axelrod, Jack Merrill, Jack Yang, James Pickens Jr., Jane Clark, Jeff Perry, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jeffrey Markle, Jeremy Rabb, Jillian Armenante, John Bishop, John Cappon, John O’Brien, Joyce Guy, Judith Hoag, Justin Chambers, Kali Rocha, Kate Anthony, Kate Burton, Kate Walsh, Katherine Heigl, Kathleen M. Darcy, Keeshan Giles, Keith Sellon-Wright, Kelly Wolf, Kerry Carney, Kevin Rankin, Kristy Munden, Kyle Chandler, Linda Eve Miller, Linda Klein, Loretta Devine, Madison Leisle, Mae Whitman, Maile Flanagan, Mandy Siegfried, Mare Winningham, Margaret Welsh, Martin Yu, Marty Lodge, Mary Joy, Maurice Irvin, Merrin Dungey, Monica Keena, Nicole Cummins, Noelle McCutchen, Parisa Fitz-Henley, Pat Healy, Patricia Bethune, Patrick Dempsey, Paul Adelstein, Paul Norwood, Paul Perri, Paula Weston Solano, Raphael Sbarge, Ray Ford, Rigo Sanchez, Rob Narita, Robin Hines, Robin Pearson Rose, Roger Rees, Sandra Oh, Sara Ramirez, Sarah Utterback, Sean Palmer, Shavon Kirksey, Shenita Moore, Stephanie Niznik, Steven W. Bailey, T.R. Knight, Taye Diggs, Tessa Thompson, Tiffany Hines, Tim Chiou, Tim Daly, Tim Griffin, Trista Delamere, Tsai Chin, Walter Wong, Wayne Lopez, William Jackson, Yvans Jourdain, Yvette Cruise, Zibby Allen.

I, Robot was first released in 2004. It is directed by Alex Proyas (Famously directed ‘The Crow’) and stars Will Smith and Bridget Moynahan.

The year is 2035 and robots have been produced to work as servants and assistants for humans. Almost every family and workplace has one and they are a regular part of day to day life. When a “robotophobic” Chicago Police Detective Del Spooner (Will Smith) is called in to investigate a suspicious death in which the prime suspect is a robot, he begins to wonder if they are somehow gaining human attributes and whether a robot really can break the 3 laws of robotics: - 1) A robot can not harm a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2) A Robot must do whatever they are told by a human being as long as such orders do not conflict with law one. 3) They should always defend themselves as long as such defence does not conflict with laws one or two.

This is a really interesting movie, I liked the way that the human emotions are explored and challenged by the robots and how the directors have portrayed the future world as having become too dependent on inanimate objects to do their dirty work for them.

The storyline was well thought out and the movie was well paced with a great mix of action and drama. Will Smith was his usual cool, calm and collected self, giving a fantastic performance as we have come to expect from this mega star.

‘Sonny’ the main robot in the movie was simply fantastic; the CGI used to create him was convincing and very well done.

All in all this was a highly enjoyable film which although slated by a lot of critics is definitely worth a watch in my opinion!

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Full cast list of I, Robot: Aaron Douglas, Aaron Joseph, Adrian Ricard, Alan Tudyk, Angela Moore, Bobby L. Stewart, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, Chi McBride, Craig March, Darren Moore, David Haysom, Emily Tennant, Essra Vischon, Fiona Hogan, James Cromwell, Jerry Wasserman, Kenyan Lewis, Kyanna Cox, Lynnanne Zager, Marrett Green, Michael St. John Smith, Nicola Crosbie, Peter Shinkoda, Phillip Mitchell, Roger Haskett, Ryan Zwick, Scott Heindl, Sharon Wilkins, Shayla Dyson, Shia LaBeouf, Simon Baker, Terry Chen, Tiffany Lyndall-Knight, Travis Webster, Victor Formosa, Will Smith.

Recently shown on Channel 4 was the cult movie ‘Lost in Translation’ directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson.

The story is a complex and emotional look into love, friendship and life in general.

Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is an over the hill movie star visiting Japan to film a commercial as part of a last ditch attempt at some kind of time in front of the camera. Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is the bored young wife of a photographer.

The two bump into eachother and soon begin to talk. Both lonely and realising that the language barrier between themselves and most of the locals is proving a problem they find themselves thrown together as travelling companions and quickly form a strong friendship.

I can guarantee that this is a movie that you will either completely love, or hate with a passion. Some people have said that they dislike it because the movie “doesn’t go anywhere” and “nothing really happens” but others, like myself think that the movie is actually a pretty realistic portrayal of life as it really is, not how the movies make it out to be.

The friendship formed between Bob and Charlotte is intense and yet at the same time incredibly ordinary. It works because they need each other, Charlotte needs to feel wanted and Bob, whose marriage is not in great shape just needs someone who can relate to him and who genuinely wants to listen to what he has to say.

They are both literally lost in translation and their chance meeting provides them with what they need at the time.

Don’t expect an all action movie if you sit down to watch Lost in translation, but if you take it for what it really is, an honest and simple movie about ordinary lives then I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Great performances from both the lead stars make this well worth spending a couple of hours watching.

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Full cast list for Lost In Translation: Akiko Monou, Akiko Takeshita, Akimitsu Naruyama, Akira, Akira Motomura, Akira Yamaguchi, Anna Faris, Asuka Shimuzu, Bill Murray, Catherine Lambert, Daikon, Diamond Yukai, Dietrich Bollmann, Francis du Bois, Fumihiro Hayashi, Georg O.P. Eschert, Giovanni Ribisi, Gregory Pekar, Hiroko Kawasaki, Hiromi Toshikawa, Hiroshi Kawashima, Hugo Codaro, Ikuko Takahashi, Jun Maki, Kanako Nakazato, Kazuko Shibata, Kazuo Yamada, Kazuyoshi Minamimagoe, Kei Takyo, Koichi Tanaka, Kunichi Nomura, Lisle Wilkerson, Mark Willms, Nao Asuka, Nao Kitman, Nobuhiko Kitamura, Osamu Shigematu, Richard Allen, Ryo Kondo, Ryuichiro Baba, Scarlett Johansson, Shigekazu Aida, Takashi Fujii, Take, Tetsuro Naka, Tim Leffman, Yasuhiko Hattori, Yuji Okabe, Yumi Ikeda, Yumika Saki.