The 2004 cult comedy Napoleon Dynamite was shown on Film 4 recently and I just couldn’t resist watching it again. It stars the absolutely hilarious John Heder as Napoleon, a dysfunctional, slightly arrogant and very geeky teenager who isn’t really taken very seriously by anyone at school or at home.

The film is a refreshing take on high school life, and rather than simply being your usual teen comedy that relies on cheap laughs we have Napoleon who brings a much more dry sarcastic humour with the best thing being he just doesn’t know how funny he actually is.

This film shot John Heder to stardom after fans fell in love with this quirky and naive character he was portraying. He has since gone on to star in hit movies such as Blades of Glory, Just Like Heaven and even voiced a very funny animated chicken in the movie “Surf?s Up” alongside Shia LaBeouf (Another of America’s top actors right now).

Some of the scenes from Napoleon Dynamite have now become cult classics on the internet; I’m sure almost everyone has that dancing emoticon or a video clip of Napoleon doing his unforgettably ridiculous dancing on stage at the school election, it just went on for so long and included so many crazy moves that you cant help but find yourself laughing at some point during the whole thing!

Napoleon’s friend Pedro played by Efren Ramirez was also a particular highlight to the movie and the friendship between the two of them was really fun to watch.

This is definitely not a film that will appeal to everyone, it’s had its fair share of both positive and negative reviews and I think its one that you will start watching and either love it instantly or be so bored that you switch it off straight away. My wife and son found the embarrassment factor to be unbearable and couldn’t watch it, but I was fixated the whole way through.

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I’d definitely recommend giving it a go if you are willing to try something a bit different from the norm and like offbeat comedies. It’s worth it for John Heder’s performance alone trust me!Full cast list for Napoleon Dynamite: Aaron Demke, Aaron Ruell, Adam Higley, Alisha Wakley, Alison Downs, Allison Gamble, Alyssa Harrison, Amanda Austin, Amber Larsen, Amy Christiansen, Annette Jensen, Arianna Crosland, Arlando Larsen, Arturo De Silva, Ashely Buck, Ashley Jackson, Audrey Hinricks, Becky Demke, Becky Yates, Bracken Johnson, Braden Hablin, Brady Stokes, Brandon Ostler, Brett Taylor, Brian Davis, Brian Petersen, Brianne Richardson, Brigham Wilcox, Brittany Foster, Brittney Cole, Brooke Beckstead, Cara Alder, Carmen Brady, Cassie Galloway, Chantel Talbot, Charles Fetzer, Charles Sparrow, Cherone Call, Cheryl Hobbs, Christina Child, Christina McBride, Christina Nicholas, Cierra Talbot, Cindy Biggs, Cody Abrams, Cody Hobbs, Colton Hirschi, Connie Owen, Cory Waters, Crystal Wright, Dakotah Gordon, Dale Critchlow, Damon Hull, Daniel Brewer, David Sharp, Dayne Keller, Debbie Hugie, Derik Atkinson, Diedrich Bader, Eden Hamblin, Efren Ramirez, Elaina Horne, Eldean Holliday, Eli Wheeler, Elisabeth North, Elizabeth Miklavcic, Ellen Dubin, Emily Gamer, Emily Tyndall, Evan Harris, Frederick Atkins, Gloria Talbot, Hannah Gibby, Hayley Bowen, Haylie Duff, Heather Benson, Isaac Demke, J.C. Cunningham, Jaclyn Olsen, Jacob Linderman, Jade Christiansen, Jake Adams, Jake Higley, Jake King, Jake Visser, Jamen Gunnell, James Stevens, Jane Christiansen, Jason Linderman, Jenna Griffith, Jenna Packer, Jenny Seamons, Jeremy Burns, Jesse Stocks, Jessica Koller, Jessica North, Jon Bliss, Jon Gries, Jon Heder, Josh North, Julia Ruell, Justin Mason, Justin Poppleton, Kacie Thompson, Kai Fetzer, Karenina Jones, Kathrine Gibby, Katie Keller, Katie Seamons, Katrina Stocks, Kayla Hirschi, Kayleen Jones, Kelsey Roach, Kelsey Stockdale, Keri Kelley, Kevin Jensen, Kim Demke, Kolby Talbot, Kolton Bosen, Kristen Gibby, Kyle Hansen, Kylie Larsen, Lacey Johnson, Lacey Saxton, Lacey Smith, Landon Bell, Laura Oliverson, Lauren Womack, Leatrice Esplin, Levi Morrison, Lindsay Wilson, Lindsey Saxton, Loria Badali, Lynette Phillips, Madison Beckstead, Mandi Dalley, Marc Roberts, Marie Nelson, Mario Mainini, Marla Jensen, Marlene Prouse, Mary Downs, Mary Heers, Matt Hinrichs, Matt Porter, McKell Peterson, Megan Earley, Megan Haslam, Michael Brewer, Michael Kelley, Nanette Young, Nanetter Neilson, Nano De Silva, Nate McBride, O’Leah Corcorran, Paige Christensen, Parker Rawlings, Pat Donahue, Paula Yates, Perrie Sagers, Perrle Sagers, Preston Slaughter, Rachel Talbot, Radine Harris, Randi Roberts, Rionnie Love, Rosie Thomas, Roy Esplin, Ryan Jensen, Sabrena Smart, Samantha Clark, Sami Dalley, Sandy Martin, Sara Phillips, Sarah Barton, Sarah Owen, Scott Thomas, Sean Hobie, Sean Richmond, Shanda Call, Shane Christiansen, Shane Pulsipher, Shantell Parsons, Shawn Oliverson, Shawnee Call, Shelbee Call, Shondrella Avery, Shonee Alder, Shontae Alder, Skylar Ostler, Stephen Rallenson, Summer Coburn, T.J. Adams, Tami Auger, Tara Roach, Taylor Bosen, Telecia Stockdale, Thedora Peeterborg, Tiffany Cole, Timothy Colvin, Tina Majorino, Tom Adams, Tom Lefler, Trevor Mendenhall, Trevor Snarr, Tyler Dodge, Tyler Drury, Tyler Hansen, Tyler Martin, Tyler Waters, Vanessa Stratton, Walter Platz, William Fetzer..

Hide and Seek starring Dakota Fanning and Robert DeNiro was shown on Film4 Friday 14th December.

Now this is a film that critics have completely slammed, with most saying that it was absolute rubbish. Well as usual, I completely disagree with what they think and I thoroughly enjoyed the film.

Granted, it’s not one of those movies that will blow you away completely, but it has a decent pace, a great cast and some very good twists and turns all the way through which makes it really entertaining.

Robert DeNiro plays David Callaway, a psychiatrist and father to a young girl called Emily. After her mother’s sudden death Emily creates a seemingly imaginary friend named Charlie who always gets the blame for anything strange that happens in the home.

Soon however, things begin to take a more sinister twist and the events surrounding the family become increasingly serious. Could Charlie be more than just an Imaginary friend and if so what exactly does he want?

Both Robert DeNiro and Dakota Fanning manage to give great performances and it’s interesting to watch how young Dakota measures up to be equally as good in the movie as DeNiro and I have to admit that I think she even outshone him in places!

We are used to seeing Dakota play the cute, happy go lucky kid in most of her recent movies but Hide and Seek sees her take on an entirely different role completely. Gone is the trademark long blonde hair and in its place is a short brown lank look that completely adds to the intensity of the character.

Although the film is definitely a bit of a slow burner, if you persevere through the sometimes slow start you will be rewarded with a tense and psychological movie that really knows how to play on the small details and leave you guessing.

I enjoyed the ending of the movie, and didn’t see it coming until just before the big reveal, but it has been openly criticised by others for being a little predictable in places. All I can advise is that you watch it for yourself and enjoy this creepy psychological horror without listening to critics and without taking it too seriously.

Robert DeNiro is one of my favourite actors and after recently seeing him in Stardust it is refreshing to see that he can still shine, even in such a different role to those we usually see him in!

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Full cast list for the 2005 film Hide and Seek: Amy Irving, Brendan Sexton III, Dakota Fanning, David Chandler, Dylan Baker, Elisabeth Shue, Famke Janssen, Jacqueline Lovell, Jake Dylan Baumer, Josh Flitter, Melissa Leo, Molly Grant Kallins, Robert De Niro, Robert John Burke, Rose Pasquale, Stewart Summers.

I recently watched Die Hard 4 on DVD starring Bruce Willis, Justin Long and Kevin Smith. The first 3 Die Hard films have become classic action films so although I knew that it had a lot to live up to I was still really excited to watch, especially when I heard that Kevin Smith (Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob) was co starring in a role as “Warlock” an expert computer hacker.

The film starts off with plenty of action right from the beginning. Hacker Matt Farrell (Justin Long) finds himself in a bit of bother after unwittingly helping a group of deadly criminals hack into government files.

As he is about to be chased down and killed, tough cop John McClane bursts onto the scene and saves the day, but the two of them soon come to realise that this was just the beginning of what looks set to be the day from hell for the whole country!

As usual, this is another Die Hard film that is action packed from start to finish; the stunts are fantastic and the special effects top notch as ever! Despite the fact that some of the scenes were extremely far fetched I don’t think that detracts from the film at all, in fact I think that’s what die hard movies are all about and that?s what keeps them fun and entertaining. Bruce Willis is getting on a bit now but still manages to keep up the pace as usual and his tough guy attitude and punchy one liners make a welcome return!

The plotline itself revolves mostly around computers and technology this time, and deals with the issue of hackers bringing down our most needed services including electricity and gas etc. It shows just how much we have come to rely on computers and just how big a part they play in our everyday life. Add in some amazing action sequences and Bruce Willis shooting a helicopter out of the sky using a fire hydrant in the middle of the street and I think you definitely have a winning formula!

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Full cast list for Die Hard 4.0: Allen Maldonado, Andrew Friedman, Bruce Willis, Chris Ellis, Chris Palermo, Christina Chang, Cliff Curtis, Cyril Raffaelli, David Walrod, Dennis Depew, Diana Gettinger, Edoardo Costa, Edward James Gage, Ethan Flower, Gerald Downey, Howard Tyrone Ferguson, Jake McDorman, Jim Cantafio, Joe Gerety, John Lacy, John Reha, Jonathan Sadowski, Justin Long, Kevin Smith, Kurt David Anderson, Maggie Q, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Matt O’Leary, Melissa Knowles, Nadine Ellis, Nick Jaine, Regina McKee Redwing, Rick Cramer, Rosemary Knower, Sung Kang, Tim De Zarn, Tim Russ, Timothy Olyphant, Tony Colitti, Vito Pietanza, Yancey Arias, Yorgo Constantine, Zeljko Ivanek anza, Yancey Arias, Yorgo Constantine, Zeljko Ivanek.

I would like to say this is a review of Transformers in Blu-Ray format but unfortunately, in their wisdom, the producers of the new Transformers movie seem to have decided that Playstation 3 owners are unlikely to be in their target demographic, so they will have to content themselves with DVD to watch this film

Transformers was without doubt the most highly anticipated movie of the year and is literally just out on the shelves on DVD. Starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel to name but a few and directed by Michael Bay (Pearl Harbour/Armageddon) it looks all set to become one of the most watched films of all time.

I saw Transformers for myself at the cinema, after having played with the toys and hearing all the hype surrounding the movie I was excited to see what the film had to offer. Let me just tell you; whether you’re male, female young or old I think you’re going to love this movie and most definitely won’t be disappointed. Without meaning to sound completely cliché it really does have something for everyone, and it makes the transition to DVD very well because you get to really examine the fantastic special effects in great detail.

Shia LaBeouf plays Sam Witwicky who after buying a second hand car from the local used car yard begins to notice that things aren’t exactly normal with it. Various humorous scenes play out, and soon it is revealed that the car is actually a Transformer ‘Bumblebee’ to be precise. I don’t want to ruin the whole movie for those who haven’t yet seen it so I won’t go into too much detail about the rest of the film but soon, one by one the Transformers begin to appear on earth and the ultimate battle between good and evil begins to take place.

You can see a fantastic online behind the scenes interview here.

One of the best things about this movie has to be Shia LaBeouf. He is a seriously talented up and coming young actor and after a strong performance in ‘Disturbia’ (Which I also loved) he has gone and done it again, nailing the part of Sam and playing it with such fantastic ease and use of comic timing that it would rival even the biggest and best of the industry’s top actors. Megan Fox is going to be the topic of much conversation with the guys who watch this movie I’m sure! She is gorgeous, although I do think that acting wise she came off as a little weak next to Shia.

Optimus Prime and Megatron are visually stunning and the complexity of the CGI that has been used through out the whole film is just mind blowing. During the fight scenes you will struggle to keep up as they are so fast paced but I guarantee you won’t want to take your eyes off the screen for fear of missing even a second of this masterpiece.

There are, as with all movies some basic flaws and things that make you think “I wish they had done that differently” for example I have noticed a lot of people mentioning that they didn’t like the fact that Optimus Prime didn’t appear in the form of the exact same truck and that Megatron wasn’t a Handgun like he originally was but all in all the general feeling about the movie seems to be that it’s well worth watching.

Get yourself the DVD and watch Transformers in all its glory at the next possible opportunity and prepare to lose yourself in 144mins of pure action and adrenaline!

Complete cast list for the film Transformers: Adam Ratajczak, Amaury Nolasco, Andrew Altonji, Andrew Caldwell, Andy Domingues, Andy Milder, Anthony Anderson, Ashkan Kashanchi, Benjamin Hoffman, Bernie Mac, Bob Stephenson, Brian Prescott, Brian Reece, Brian Shehan, Brian Stepanek, C.J. Thomason, Carlos Moreno Jr., Charles Adler, Charlie Bodin, Chip Hormess, Chris Ellis, Colin Fickes, Colleen Porch, Craig Barnett, Darius McCrary, Esther Scott, Frederic Doss, Glenn Morshower, Hugo Weaving, J.P. Manoux, Jamie McBride, Jamison Yang, Jason White, Jeremy Jojola, Jess Harnell, Jessica Kartalija, Jimmie Wood, John Robinson, John Turturro, Johnny Sanchez, Jon Voight, Josh Duhamel, Joshua Feinman, Julie White, Kevin Dunn, Laurel Garner, Luis Echagarruga, Madison Mason, Mark Ryan, Mason the Mastiff, Maya Klayn, Megan Fox, Michael Adams, Michael McNabb, Michael O’Neill, Michael Shamus Wiles, Michael Trisler, Michelle Pierce, Mike Fisher, Odette Yustman, Pat Mulderrig, Pete Gardner, Peter Cullen, Peter Jacobson, Rachael Taylor, Ravi Patel, Ray Toth, Reno Wilson, Rick Gomez, Rizwan Manji, Robert Foxworth, Ron Henry, Ronnie Sperling, Samantha Smith, Scott Peat, Sean Hampton, Sean Smith, Shia LaBeouf, Sophie Bobal, Steven Ford, Tom Lenk, Travis Van Winkle, Tyrese Gibson, Wiley M. Pickett, William Morgan Sheppard, Zack Ward.