Thursday 27 February 2014

A Million Ways to Die in the West Preview: Trailer, Latest Artwork and New UK Release Date

"A Million Ways to Die in the West" is Seth MacFarlane's new movie and is one that is highly anticipated. 


The Family Guy creator has assembled a cast that includes Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Giovanni Ribisi, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah SIlverman and Liam Neeson. He also stars in the film himself as Albert, who after losing a gun fight is left by his girlfriend who finds another suitor.  With help from a mysterious female who arrives out of nowhere Albert falls in love. With his new found courage Albert takes on the husband of his new female acquaintance but will he overcome the challenge or fail as he has done previously?

A MIllion Ways to Die in the West Preview

The film also has a new release date and is set to hit UK cinemas on 30th May 2014. With the success of "Ted" (2012) we cannot wait to see the next movie by MacFarlane and it certainly looks like it is going to be filled with action and laughs from the trailer below.


A Million Ways to Die in the West Trailer:


For more information check out the official website here: www.AMillionWays.com

Monday 24 February 2014

M+F Reviews Week 5 Update

Another week down and this time we have uploaded 6 new movie reviews.  We have watched some great films this week and hope as you have done so far you will continue to  read, rate and comment on our reviews. This weeks film reviews in alphabetical order:


Highest M+F Rating: WALL-E - 9/10
Featured Film: 2 Guns

Another great week in terms of movie reviews and we were lucky enough that the movies we chose to watch were very good.  We are hoping for just as good a week this week and have already watched "Rush" so look out for our review of that shortly. As always we welcome any comments on our reviews and look forward to talking and discussing movies with you. 

Reviews of all movies and films.

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Guardians of the Galaxy: Trailer Release

It is what we have been waiting for, for a while now - the first look at Marvel's new "Guardians of the Galaxy". The film is set to be released on the 1st August 2014 and stars Chris Pratt, Bradley Cooper. Vin Diesel, Zoe Saldana and a host of others.  You can view the trailer for "Guardians of the Galaxy" below.

Guardians of the Galaxy Trailer: 


So what do you think of the trailer?  Other than a few stills, this is the first real proper look we have of the film.  Our first impression was not the same as when we first saw Marvel's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" or "X-Men: Days of Future Past".  Initially we thought it was strange as it seems quite silly but also quite grown up in some sections. Surely this is Marvel's attempts to target the largest audience possible.

That being said, it has caught our attention.  We are looking forward to the film and one reason for this is the high benchmark Marvel has set with its other films.  It will be interesting though, as generally the Guardians of the Galaxy characters are lesser known compared to the likes of Thor, Iron Man, Captain America and the Hulk.

The trailer certainly has increased the excitement levels before the films release and it is only a matter of time to see how "Guardians of the Galaxy" fairs compared to Marvel's other hits.

Monday 17 February 2014

*Cosplayers UK - The Movie* - DVD Release, Preview and Trailer


Today (17/02/2014) sees the UK DVD release of "Cosplayers UK - The Movie".  It is the the first feature documentary on the UK Cosplay scene. 'Costume play' is a performance art in which those who take part wear costumers and accessories to represent a certain character.  These representations usually take the form of characters from genres such as fantasy, anime, comic or science-fiction. 

A group of Cosplayers take part in the May 2011 MCM Expo.

This documentary film is directed by Ed Hartwell and Johnnie Oddball and is the second live action feature film that they have produced together; the first being "When London Sleeps It Came Alive" (2010). It follows a selection of Cosplayers as they attend and take part in the May 2011 MCM Expedition.  Lasting 3 days the event attracts an audience of over 60,000 people from across Europe.  

With a run time of 83 minutes "Cosplayers UK - The Movie" is out now on DVD and from the trailer below, it certainly looks like a lot of fun.

"Cosplayers UK - The Movie" Trailer


You can purchase "Cosplayers UK - The Movie" here.

M+F Reviews Week 4 Update


Yes, we are through another week and again we are very happy with this weeks updates.  This week has seen 6 new reviews for M+F Reviews.  We have reviewed a wide range of films including a documentary this week.  Here is the list of films we reviewed this week in alphabetical order.


Highest M+F Rating: 2 Guns - 7/10 / The Armstrong Lie - 7/10 / The Big Lebowski - 7/10
Featured Film: 12 Years a Slave


It has been another solid week for us in terms of posting new movie reviews.  We have another good week planned and as always will aim to post one new review each day.  Look out for our movie review for "A Midnight in Paris" (2011) and as always feel free to comment on our reviews.  We have had some great conversations on our "2 Guns" review on out Google + profile so please join in.

http://movieandfilmreviews1.blogspot.co.uk/p/home-page.html

Sunday 16 February 2014

2014 BAFTA Awards - The Winners and The Losers

First of all we want to say well done to everyone involved in the BAFTAs and also to all those nominated for the great films that have been produced for this years event.  Here we will discuss the winners and losers of this years BAFTAs.


Here are our winners and losers of the Awards but please note when we say 'loser' we mean those unlucky in not winning when we feel they deserved to. 

Winner - Gravity

Sandra Bullock in Gravity
Sandra Bullock in Gravity

Gravity came away with no fewer than 6 awards.  The film won Outstanding British Film, Best Director for Alfonso Cuaron, Best Cinematography,  Best Music, Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. We are yet to see the film but it obviously touched a chord with the voters as it ended up as the most successful film of the night.  A true winner on awards night, Gravity goes into the Oscars full of confidence.

Loser - Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio caused a racket of screams on the red carpet before the awards but unfortunately the actor came away empty handed from the BAFTAs. Nominated for the Best Actor award for his role in "The Wolf of Wall Street" many thought this would be his year to win the BAFTA's before heading to the Oscars next month.  DiCaprio still looked good as always and is still a contender for the Oscars.

WinnerStephen Fry

One big winner from the BAFTAs did not even win an award and that was the host, Stephen Fry.  It was the comedians 9th time hosting the Awards and he really has perfected it.  Charming, funny and honest, Fry really delivered a great BAFTA Ceremony, one that was worth all of the talent that had come together to celebrate film.

Loser - Lupita Nyong'o  

Lupita Nyong'o was up for two awards individually; Best Supporting Actress and Best Rising Star.  Unfortunately she did not win either losing out to Jennifer Lawrence and Will Poulter respectively.  This was a shame for Nyong'o who we felt really deserved an award for her outstanding performance in "12 Years a Slave".


Winner - The Great Gatsby

Brilliant production and costumer design in The Great Gatsby

Baz Lurhman's "The Great Gatsby" for us was a surpise winner at this years BAFTAs, winning 2 awards.  The film won Best Production Design as well as Best Costume Design and for us this was a surprise.  However, it was not a surprise because we though it did not deserve it but because no one really predicted it.  We loved the film and are glad to see it win these awards.


Loser - Her & Dallas Buyers Club

Whether you can count "Her" and "Dallas Buyers Club" as losers is difficult as they were not nominated for an award between them.  However, we have chose to include them in our list.  These two films are definitely up there with the rest and in our opinion should have been nominated at least for something, however they were both snubbed and we felt they were harshly done by in this regard.

Winner - 12 Years a Slave


Ultimately, the film that won the 'BIG' awards, "12 Years a Slave" was the front runner for this years BAFTAS.  Based on the true story of Solomon Northup the film picked up the Best Film and Best Actor Award for Chiwetel Ejiofor. It is hard to argue with these as the film was incredible. As we have said before it truly was a powerful masterpiece that deserves the success it gets. You should not need any reasons to watch the film but in case you do we have compiled 12 reasons why you should go and watch "12 Years a Slave".

You can see a full list of winners for this years BAFTA Awards here.

We hope you have enjoyed reading our winners and losers of this years BAFTA Awards and if you agree or disagree feel free to comment below and join in the discussion before the Oscars next month.













Best Film Winner: 12 Years A Slave
Best Film Winner: 12 Years A Slave
Best Film Winner: 12 Years A Slave
Best Film Winner: 12 Years A Slave
Best Film Winner: 12 Years A Slave
Best Film Winner: 12 Years A Slave

Thursday 13 February 2014

Top 5: Love Films That Are Perfect To Watch On Valentines Day

Valentines Day. Valentines Day. The Proposal, Romeo + Juliet, Titanic, The Notebook.

It is that time of year again and Valentines Day is upon us.  There are hundreds and thousands of films based on love and relationships so we have decided to narrow that down for you.  Here is a list of 5 films that would be perfect to watch on Valentines Day. We admit, they are not all Valentines Day related but are all related to love. They will make you laugh and cry and are perfect for Valentines Day:

5. Valentines Day (2010)


Perfectly named, "Valentine's Day" is the perfect way to start Valentines Day.  The movie is great for the day itself as it follows a large cast as they all try to find love for Valentines Day.  It is a good film and features a huge ensemble cast so there is bound to be someone you like. Names include, Jessica Alba ("Honey"), Taylor Lautner (The Twilight Franchise and "Grown Ups 2"), Jamie Foxx ("Law Abiding Citizen" and "Django Unchained") and Anne Hathaway ("The Dark Knight Rises").  That's only four and the list continues, but we won't give them all away.

4. The Proposal (200)


Another rom-com and it's another fun loving film,this time it stars Sandra Bullock ("The Blind Side") and Ryan Reynolds ("Green Lantern"). A very suggestive title for any relationship that is quite serious this film will certainly ease any tension and make the mood a lot lighter.  Bullock's character is being deported so persuades her assistant, Reynolds, to become her fiance. Lots of fun awkward scenes, it certainly is worth a watch.

3. Romeo + Juliet (1996)


Now what film is better than the greatest love story ever told for Valentine's Day and that's not all; this is the modernized version directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Leonardo DiCaprio ("The Wolf of Wall Street" and "The Great Gatsby") and Claire Danes ("Stardust"). This entertaining take on William Shakespeare's famous tragedy is perfect for Valentines Day with romance, desire, action and very competent acting. It also features some incredibly romantic scenes and an awesome soundtrack.

2. Titanic (1997)


Staying with Leonardo DiCaprio and adding Kate Winslet ("The Holiday") we aboard the Titanic. This film is great if you are wanting a more serious love story. An epic movie of all proportions that will guarantee to  have you on the edge of tears if not a blubbering wreck by the end of the film. The tragic story of the shipwreck is entwined with the love story of DiCaprio and Winslet's characters.

1. The Notebook (2004)

 

Now this is the ultimate film to watch on Valentines Day, but, be warned you will definitely end up in tears.  A true love story and adapted from the novel by Nicholas Sparks, "The Notebook" stars Ryan Gosling ("Gangster Squad") and Rachel McAdams ("Wedding Crashers"). An incredibly emotional and moving film this one is not for those looking for an easy watch.  This film is a depiction of what real love is and it certainly is emotional.  An excellent film for the couple who are truly in love.

This concludes our list of films to watch on Valentines Day. Let us know your thoughts and what you choose to watch by commenting below.

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Top 5 Films to Watch During the Winter Olympics


As you well know we are currently in the middle of the Winter Olympic Games of 2014 in Sochi, Russia.  We love the winter Olympics and throughouly enjoy watching events that at other times of the year we would rarely see.  What we also love to do is watch films that are related to the winter Olympics in some way.  So here is our list of Top 5 Films to Watch During the Winter Olympics for when the competitons are over and you are waiting for the next events to start.


5. Donwhill Racer (1969)

The oldest film to feature in our list, "Downhill Racer" stars Robert Redford and Gene Hackman. The story is based around a downhil skier who joins the US team but does not get on well with the coach.  This is going on as the character is aiming to achieve highly at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble. A definite watch.




4. Blades of Glory (2007)

Love Will Ferrell? Then this is the film for you.  It is based around two Olympic ice skaters who are banned for life from the Winter Olympics.  However they manage to find a loophole in the rules which enables them to compete again but only as a pair.  Produced by Ben Stiller, this film is great fun to watch and perfect to get you in the mood for the Sochi Winter Olympics.




3. The Cutting Edge (1992)

Another ice skating film and this time it is a rom-com.  A washed up ice hockey player is paired with a figure skater as they aim for gold while also falling in love.  Starring D. B. Sweeney and Moira Kelly "The Cutting Edge" is a family fun film to watch and enjoy. It also features LOST star Terry O'Quinn (John Locke).




2.  Cool Runnings (1993)

Now, there won't be many of you who have not watched or let alone heard of this film.  Based on the real life true story of the very first Jamaican bobsled team who try to make it to the 1988 Winter Olympics.  An exciting, easy going film that is funny and even emotional it should definitely be one you watch while the Winter Olympics is on. Away from the film, Jamaica have a two man bobsled team ready to go on the 16th February 2014 having support and funding raised by people all over the world.



1. Miracle (2004)

Our top film to watch during the Winter Olympics is "Miracle". This is based on the real true life story of Herb Brooks.  An ex-ice-hockey player who changes his focus to coaching. He aims to take the US Olympic Team to victory over an invincible Russian team.  Brooks, is portrayed by Kurt Russell. The film is both inspiring and majestical and will really get you rallying behind the competitors at this years Sochi Winter Olympics. For all of the FRIENDS fans out there, Eddie Cahill (Tag Jones), stars in this film as well.



That concludes our top 5 list and we hope you enjoy watching these films and the remainder of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games.  If you have any comments on our list we always welcome them as well as hearing your own top 5!

Tuesday 11 February 2014

Enemy Movie Preview

We have not heard much about "Enemy" starring Jake Gyllenhaal but luckily we stumbled across the trailer last night. Not only does it star Gyllenhaal but it is also directed by the same person who directed "Prisoners" (2013), Dennis Villeneuve

From what we can tell from the trailer it certainly looks very similar in style to "Prisoners" with a dark overlook on each shot.  It seems like it is quite an interesting story line and hopefully it can match "Prisoners" and the suspense that brought.  We are certainly looking forward to being able to watch "Enemy". 

Have you been lucky enough to see "Enemy" already? If so let us know your thoughts by commenting below.

You can view the trailer for Enemy here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVvgt3jIUsc&feature=share

Monday 10 February 2014

Do You Watch Movie Trailers?

Recently there has been a bit of a spotlight on movie and film trailers.  Why? Well firstly because of the Super Bowl Half Time show which featured many new and extended trailers for upcoming movies.  And secondly, because of a news story that broke recently where cinema owners have asked for shorter movie trailers.

This raises an important question that we like to ask all movie fans - Do you watch film trailers?  For us answers can fall into three categories:

100 % Yes - I make a point of watching movie trailers as soon as I hear they have been released.

50 % Sometimes - I am not fussed whether I see them or not. If one comes on I will watch it but make no real effort to.

0 % No - I make every effort to avoid catching a glimpse of a movie trailer.  It gives too much away and ruins the film for me.

We fall into the first category. We love films. We love trailers. We will look for the latest news to see when a trailer is released to make sure we see it as soon as possible. However, we do know some people who are totally the opposite of ourselves and they will sit at the cinema with there eyes shut and hands over their ears during the trailers to make sure a film is not spoiled.  

What are your views on film trailers? Do they give away too much or do you love them as they are? Does it matter whether it is a film that's not released yet? If the film has been out for a few years but you are yet to see it does it make a difference to you about watching the trailer.

Let us know your thoughts but commenting below. We will of course reply and look forward to the discussion.



M+F Reviews Week 3 Update

It is that time again for our weekly of update of our review site M+F Reviews. It has been a great week and we have stuck to our target of getting on average one review done each day.  So here is a list of the reviews we have compiled this week in alphabetical order:

 
 
Highest M+F Rating: 12 Years a Slave
Featured Film: Prisoners
 
It has been a great week for us as we have had our first comment on the site (It appears on our "12 Years a Slave" review. We have another great week of film reviews coming your way, starting with none other than "The Big Lebowski" (1998).
 
Logo for Movie and Film Reviews


Sunday 9 February 2014

Non-Stop Movie Preview and Trailer

So after the success of "Taken" (2008) and "Taken 2" (2012) Liam Neeson returns in "Non-Stop" this February.

 
Whether this is a gamble or not remains to be seen but from the trailer, the film looks like it could have some success.  What we can tell is that Neeson plays an air marshal who is set-up and is made to look like he is high-jacking a plane.  It is then up to Neeson to clear his name and save everyone on the flight.  The trailer is filled with action but is it going to offer us something new? We certainly hope so.
 

 
The film also stars Lupita Nyong'o who recently had success with "12 Years a Slave" (2013) and Julianne Moore.  The trailer looks good but does seem to give away a lot. We will have to wait and see whether the whole film is a success or whether it will fail to impress. "Non-Stop" is released in the United Kingdom on the 28th February 2014.
 

Are you looking forward to this film or are you not interested at all? Let us know by commenting below.

Saturday 8 February 2014

Should You Go To The Cinema?

 

As movie lovers we have watched films both at the cinema and at home on either DVD or Blu-Ray disc.  But which is better? We thought it would be fun and interesting to do a head-to-head of both to see what comes out on top.

 

Cost

Dollar Sign and pound Sign Logo
When it comes down to choosing something to do, cost is always one thing that is looked into especially in more recent times.  The average cost of a cinema ticket in 2013 was $8.13 in the US and £6.53 in the UK.  Obviously these prices are only estimates but it gives us something to work with. On average a new DVD in the UK costs around £10 and a Blu-Ray costs around £15-20.  These numbers will vary along with cinema ticket prices - as obviously it will cost more to watch  an IMAX or 3D film at the cinema.  On face value to actually watch a film it seems that going to the cinema will come out on top. There are however other costs involved, like travel and snack costs (we have a separate section on snacks). The costs for sweets, popcorn and drinks at the cinema is extortionate and is almost nearly 3 times as more expensive that if you purchase them in shop.  This added with travel costs we are going to give this head-to-head to DVD/Blue-Ray. On average it would be cheaper to buy a DVD or Blu-Ray disc compared to going to the cinema.
 
DVD/Blu-Ray 1 - 0 Cinema
 

Comfort

For us, nothing beats the comfort of your own home.  Your familiar surroundings - everything is how you like it.  At the cinema however it isn't.  You rarely get to choose where you sit. You have no control over the lighting and you are limited to your seat. It is very difficult to stretch out which can be a problem as films are generally lasting for longer and longer these days.  This has not stopped movie theatre chains like Odeon trying to make the cinema experience more homely and luxurious, however this comes at an added cost.  Home comforts really are the best and cannot be matched by going to the cinema.
 
DVD/Blu-Ray 2 - 0 Cinema
 

Atmosphere

There is a certain atmosphere at the cinema that is impossible to recreate at home.  It's cliché but it is magical.  The big screen, dimmed lights and loud speakers makes watching films at the cinema all that more special compared to being at home.  Although it may be less comfortable especially when the cinema is packed but when there is a funny scene and the whole cinema erupts in laughter that atmosphere is special and unique.
 
DVD/Blu-Ray 2 - 1 Cinema
 

Snacks

We have already looked at the cost of snacks but lets look at the snacks themselves.  In our eyes, cinema snacks cannot be matched. Yes, you can buy popcorn from the shops and eat it at home but it is not the same as cinema food.  The popcorn, nachos and drinks albeit overpriced taste much nicer at the cinema and are worth the extra money.  Of course at home you can cook your own dinner and can pretty much have anything you like but for us cinema snacks win.
 
DVD/Blu-Ray 2 - 2 Cinema
 

Quality

Now this is a difficult one. Unless you go to the IMAX a normal cinema screen can sometimes look a bit blurry. The majority of people at home will have a HD screen to watch a film on making the screen quality better but obviously smaller.  At the cinema though the sound is very good. Loud and clear - it really adds an extra element to the film you are watching. You can feel the sound vibrations which really improve action films etc. At home their is a limit as to how loud you can have the sound.  This is a shame and unless you have a home cinema surround system it will not be the same as at the cinema.  Overall we think the cinema just edges it because of the large screen size and the sound effects are much better.
 
DVD/Blu-Ray 2 - 3 Cinema
 

Time

Watching films takes time, obviously.  Films generally range from anywhere between 75 minutes to up to 3 hours.  This is a long time to be out and it generally is nicer to watch longer films at home. At the cinema you do not get a break where as at home you can pause it.  There is also the added bonus of saving time as you will not need to travel to the cinema. Time-wise watching a film at home is better, you will save time and can watch a movie when it suits you rather than having the hassle of getting to the cinema and having to watch a film at a set time.
 
DVD/Blu-Ray 3 - 3 Cinema
 

Release Dates


Release dat and movie poster for Transformers 4 - Age of Extinction
Transformers: Age of Extinction can be seen in the cinema
 long before it can on DVD
 
There is only one winner here in the last category -  Cinema. The films at the movie theatres come out a long time before they appear on DVD or Blu-Ray which means if you wait to see something at home, you can be waiting months.  There really is no arguing in that if you want to see a film as soon as it comes out you have to go to the cinema to do so. 
 
DVD/Blu-Ray 3 - 4 Cinema
 

And the winner is...

The winner is Cinema. That concludes our head-to-head and we believe that you should go to the cinema over watching a DVD/Blu-Ray at home. Of course other circumstances can change this but if you have the opportunity to go to the cinema - take it, it is a great experience and very enjoyable.
 

Let us know what you prefer and why by commenting below.

Friday 7 February 2014

Question Time: What Movie Sequels Would You Like To See?

This is a simple question. What movie sequels would you like to see come out in the near future? There are no rules - you can literally pick any film. It can be for any reason as well. You may have loved the first one, you may have hated it and would like them to have another go. If you have any reason for a sequel then name them here.

 

Name the original and then suggest a title for the sequel. We will get things started:

 
 
1 - "District 9" - District 10?
 
"District 9" came out in 2009 and what a film it was.  With a relatively unknown cast the film hit the big screen and achieved good reviews and had a successful run.  The story of a human turning into an alien managed to win over the crowds and the film, albeit an action based sci-fi tuened out to be very emotional.  Director Neill Blomkamp has already spoken about the chance of a sequel.
 
Sharlto Copley as Wikus in District 9
 
2 - "RocknRolla" - The Real RocknRolla?
 
Earlier we posted a review for "Snatch" (2000) at M+F Reviews.  During that review we spoke of Guy Ritchie's other films one of which was "RocknRolla" (2008).  An enjoyable but typical Ritchie film, it ends with a message appearing on the screen, 'Johnny, Archy and the Wild Bunch will be back in The Real RocknRolla'. Now we enjoyed the film and with a message like that appearing at the end it would only be fair that we are treated to a second film.  Rumour has it that Ritchie is planning a trilogy but as of yet nothing has been confirmed.
 
Idris Elba, Gerard Butler and Tom Hardy in RocknRolla

 

Let us know what you would like to see by commenting below. The possibilities are endless! 

How To Rate a Movie: Movie Ratings Explained

Rating a movie is something that we all do, consciously or not.  It may be in the form of stating Film A is better than Film B or it may be something more involved like the compiling of a list.  Either way people ask why movies are rated, what the ratings mean and how to rate movies themselves.  Over at M+F Reviews we review and rate each film we have watched and we do this with our own rating system.  This feature will aim to look at why we rate movies to see if we really need to, what the ratings mean to the person rating them as an individual and also different ways to rate movies with some helpful tips along the way.

Why do people rate movies?

Movie ratings - you see them everywhere. Whenever a new film is released part of its promotion has ratings from various sources plastered over the movie posters and trailers - but why?  Nearly every film that is released will have a movie rating that claims that it is the best film in however long, or that it is excellent or tremendous.  However, you know as well as us that each and every film cannot be rated 5/5 stars or 10/10, or whatever format the film has been rated in.  It is quite obvious that these movie ratings have been chosen from the reviewers who did enjoy the film and gave those ratings. This is the problem with film reviews and it is one that is often overlooked and forgotten about - movie reviews and ratings are an individual opinion. They are not fact or universal.  It is this important factor which is imperial to anyone looking at movie reviews or looking to do there own.

Back to the question - why rate a movie? Why do we not just watch a film, accept it for what it is and move on? Why is there a need to rate the movie?  Many people would say, 'it's just what we do,' or 'it is an easy way to list films we have seen.'  As we rate movies ourselves we believe that both of these reasons are true but I also think there is a more biological reason - it's natural.  From anything to everything we always rate things and compare them to others eg. Car A is better than Car B. Of course it does not have to be rated on what is 'better' but it could be on what person is funnier - basically the scale of what you are using to rate something can change and this is no different to film ratings. 

So, is it essential to rate movies? No, we do not think it is but it is something that people will continue to do even if people tried to stop.  Not every person will compile lists or keep a record of their ratings but that's okay. As long as people are accepting film and forming an opinion on it then the film has in its most basic form been a success.  For us here, we love film discussion and talk and ratings form the basis of this.  It gives us an overview of what we think of a film or movie and if people ask us why we rated it like that we can then go into more details. We believe film ratings are good for movies. They provide a point of discussion. 

What do movie ratings mean?

This again is an open ended question.  To us, movie ratings can mean a lot of different things.  It can be as simple as ordering the films you have seen into a list with favourites first or it can be based on a much more sophisticated formula or rating system.  It really does depend on those who are giving the ratings. There is a difference between say a list of films in order of our favourite films compared to ones that are actually critically good films.  For instance, personally we really enjoyed the Transformers franchise films and would have them on our list of favourite films, however we would not rate them above 8/10. You would think that if they are on our list of favourite films then they would be rated highly (either 9/10 or 10/10) but for us there is a difference between enjoying a film and rating a film. We believe you can enjoy a film but still not rate it highly, otherwise each film we rate would be 8/10 or 9/10 as we enjoy a lot of films.  It is a difficult idea to understand.  Our ratings are based on what we think of a film and yes enjoyment plays a part of that but we do not solely base our reviews on our enjoyment of a film.

How should I rate a movie?

So how should you rate a movie then? Here we will look at the different ways to rate movies.  Now there are so many different ways we are unable to list them all but we will take some examples and show you.  If you are looking to rate a movie then you need to know what you are rating it out of. This can be a number of things from a percentage out of 100 to giving a film a number of stars.  The second thing that you need to do is to understand what each rating represents, for instance the difference between a good and bad film rating. 
 

What rating system should I use? 

Well this is completely up to you and how you find it best to rate a film.  Some sites and people use a rating out of 10.  This is what we use at M+F Reviews.  Similarly you can use a system that rates a film out of 5 or even 3.  Obviously the lower you go the harder it becomes to distinguish each film.  You can also do something not that different and give each film a percentage out of 100.  This can be very accurate but can be quite difficult to pin point exactly what each films movie rating should be.  There are other ways you can rate movies as well. Below you can see examples of different rating systems. 
 
Out of 10: Very simple and probably the most popular way of rating movies.  Once you have watched a film you can give the film what you think it deserves with 10 being the highest and 1 being the lowest.  For us at M+F Reviews we have stuck to whole numbers but you can go to decimal points if you wish.  This gives you more flexibility but we also suggest that if you are using decimal points that you have a clear structure on how you rate each movie as it is important that you stick by your rating after you have made it and not to change it once you have watched another film.  A great example of the "Out of 10" movie rating system can be seen at IMDb; they have the option for users to rate each movie out of 10 and they have compiled an overall Top 250 list of the top rated movies of all time.
 
Out of 5:  Again this a very popular way of rating a movie.  Rotten Tomatoes employ this rating system for their users but also use an "Out of 10" system for their critics ratings.  Users can rate each movie out of 5 stars and this includes half stars.  Another feature that they use is then giving an overall percentage of the audience who liked it.  The percentage they use is the amount of  people who have rated the movie 3.5 stars or more. 
 
Movie Rating System
An example of a film rated 4/5 stars.
 
Kids-In-Mind: Now this is a very specific way to rate movies.  As you can see they are rating films based on the suitability for children. By choosing three areas that they think films should be rated for children (but more so for the parents) they can get a three point score for the film and its suitability for children. 

MoovieBoozer: This rating system for us is great. Its fun and different.  The ratings are based on the amount of beers it would take to make a film enjoyable or good. The best rating is 'A Toast' also known as 'One Beer Movies.' The worst is called a 'Six-Pack' or a 'Six Beers Movies'.
 
Other ways: Of course there are hundreds of ways you can rate a film.  Some are very complicated as outlined  here by Sweet Popcorn and Late Nights.  Others can be kept very simple. 
 
 

An Example of a Movie Rating and System 

The Wolverine (2013) Movie Rating Example
Example of M+F Rating of "The Wolverine" (2013) from Movie and Film Reviews
 
At M+F Reviews we use a simple "Out of 10" rating system.  Each film is given a number between 0 and 10. It works as we know what the difference is between each possible rating. We know that a film rated 5/10 is neither good or bad as for us it is completely average.  A film that is rated 0/10 is terrible in all aspects, storyline, acting, soundtrack etc.  Luckily we have not found a film that warrants this rating yet. 
 
Lets look at a film we reviewed recently, "The Wolverine" (2013).
 
We rated this film 5/10.  We felt the film was not as good as previous X-Men related films and that it could have been a lot better.  However, we felt that Hugh Jackman's performance was very good - he kept the movie from being a really terrible one.  For us the storyline was disappointing as well as the lack of other major characters. We did enjoy the film though.  For us this was a classic average film - some things were good and some were not and this is how we came to our rating of 5/10. The full review can be found here.
 

Ask yourself - "Does it work?"

 
At the end of the day the ratings system you choose to use should answer yes to both the these questions:
  1. Does it work for you?
  2. Does it work for your audience?
If you answer yes to both of these questions then you will have no problems with your movie ratings system.  It is important that your audience understands and can make sense of your ratings and that they are also something that you can stick to in the long run.
 
Things to remember:
  • Decide on what rating system you want to use if at all
  • Know the difference between each rating
  • Stick to the rating you have given the film at the time
  • It is personal, do not change your review because someone else disagrees with you
 
This concludes our movie ratings feature.  If you have any questions on how to rate a movie, or a question on how we rate movies please do not hesitate to ask.  If you have any comments on this feature please post them below as we would love to hear your own thoughts on how you rate movies yourself. 

Thursday 6 February 2014

12 Reasons to Watch Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave" Movie


After watching "12 Years a Slave" last night we have decided to do a feature on the film and give you 12 reasons as to why you should watch the movie.  So here we go in no particular order:



Steve McQueen and Chiwetel Ejiofor during filming for 12 Years a Slave
Director Steve McQueen and actor Chiwetel
 Ejiofor (AP Photo/Fox Searchlight, Jaap Buitendijk)
  1. Steve McQueen

    That's right, we start the list with the man behind it, director Steve McQueen.  The British director came across the book for the film after his wife found it while they were looking for a true slave story to tell. His excellent skills set this film up perfectly and he certainly helps make it the success it is.

  2. The Storyline

    The unbelievable yet extraordinary  story of Solomon Northup is next on the list.  A true story of deception, death, desperation, despair and pain, it really has it all.  Solomon wrote Twelve Years a Slave in 1853 the year he was reunited with his family.  It is still not known how or where he died.

  3. Chiwetel Ejiofor

    Chiwetel Ejiofor was the actor chosen by McQueen to play Solomon and what a choice it was.  He brings an incredible performance and portrayal of Solomon that is near on perfect. The emotions he displays are so sincere and really add to the overall depth and feel of the film.

  4. It's Powerful

    Powerful. The whole film is powerful. Whatever way you look at it. A powerful story. Powerful actors. Powerful scenes. The whole film has a essence surrounding that reaches out to the audience and pulls them in.

  5. It's More Than Just a Film

    "12 Years a Slave" is more than just a film. It is a opportunity to absorb our past. What we see is not nice but its true.  It is something that should be shown and accepted for the truth it shows rather than just being branded as another film.

  6. It's Emotional

    Of course a film of this nature is going to bring up emotions. It will not just have you crying though. The emotion we felt more of was anger. Anger at what we were seeing. We know this was only a film adaptation but it provoked these emotions from within us.  The portrayal of the story and slavery in particular really struck a chord with us and it is because we did not like what we were seeing and knew it was wrong. A film that can stir these emotions is certainly one worth watching.

  7. It's a Must See

  8. There is no doubt about it, if you do not see this film you are missing out. It really is a spectacle that needs to be viewed. It will be spoken about for years and there is a reason for this - so go and see it.

  9. It Will Make You Think

  10. You will not finish this film and just go back to your usual life without thinking about this film.  It raises too many questions and emotions for you to simply forget.  What is a great movie if it does not do this?

  11. Lupita Nyong'o

    Relatively unknown before her portrayal of Patsey, Lupita Nyong'o really steps up to the big screen. Patsey was at the same plantation as Solomon and suffered tremendous amounts of assault, battery and rape.  A sad and tragic life which was quite difficult to watch.  Lupita plays the role incredibly well considering the circumstances her character faced. An inspirational performance.

    
    Edwin Epps played by Michael Fassbender argues with Patsey portrayed by Lupita Nyong'o as Solomon Northup, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor looks on
    Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o and Chiwetel Ejiofor
     as Edwin Epps, Patsey and Solomon Northup
     
  12. It's Relevant

  13. It has been asked as to why this film has been released now and not years before.  One answer for this is that it is now relevant.  With Barack Obama the President of the United States and people ready to talk about and discuss slavery there is no better time for the film to be released and watched.  Recently we saw the release of "Django Unchained" (2012) - a totally different film that involves some aspect of slavery.

  14. It Raises Questions

    You will have tonnes of questions after watching this film and the majority of them will not be answered.  What happens to Solomon? Why was he taken? Was he the only one? These questions cause great discussion and really show the effect this story can have on you.

  15. It's Good

    There is no questioning it, "12 Years a Slave" is an incredible film.  One that will leave you speechless. There will be parts that are uncomfortable to watch and difficult to stomach but it is worth it. A real masterpiece of emotional truth.
 

That completes our 12 reasons as to why you should go and watch "12 Years a Slave". It really is worth the time and effort of seeing.  We have also written a full review of "12 Years a Slave" and hope you decide to watch this film.