Battle: Los Angeles proudly follows a long line of alien invasion movies – Mars Attacks! Independence Day! Skyline! Remember Skyline? Anyone? It only came out a few months ago. I predict this question will be asked about Battle: LA in roughly three months’ time and get the same response.

Battle: LA follows a plucky band of marines trying to repel alien forces in Los Angeles, as the title suggests. The aliens in their sinister ships have invaded the earth. After the rest of the world’s great cities have fallen – Beijing, Paris, London, Kalgoorlie, it’s up to Marine staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) and his team to draw a line in the sand.

Helping the sergeant shoot aliens from the sky is Michelle Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan and Ne-Yo, some kind of R&B star and tragically not an iced biscuit. They have to shoot these alien invaders out of the smoggy LA sky and then presumably shoot them some more.

The trailers for this bang-fest promise explosions and pounding action for 90 minutes. They also promise slightly shonky-looking aliens, hand-held camera work and gruff men making hand signals while urging each other onwards.

I guarantee that if you want a movie where you can happily leave your brain at the door, and let the gunfire massage your eardrums, look no further then Battle: Los Angles, opening 17^th March in most cinemas Australia-wide.

For more explodey trailers, head to the movie website at:

http://www.battlela.com.au

With school holiday fun films being released it comes as a surprise to see “Public Enemies” hit our theatres today. The serious and ominous film is the story of infamous gangster John Dillinger, based on an insight into one of America’s most famous criminals with a lasting reputation.

The suspense film is directed by Michael Mann with a range of dramatical action scenes that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. He has managed to create a hybrid of gangster movies and take viewers back to the 1930’s.

Mann uses the raw energy and allures us into the fast-moving adrenaline pumping crime space. The film doesn’t start with the typical origin story, and unlike other directors Mann plunges right in.

The film stars two of Hollywood’s biggest names and faces them against each other. Johnny Depp plays the witty Dillinger as we follow him on his road of violence and destruction. Whilst Christian Bale plays the head of FBI Agent Melvin Purvis who is under pressure to stop Dillinger, allowing the FBI to receive further funding.

A lot is at stake for Purvis who tries desperately to capture the hardened criminal, but the FBI are just that one step behind. Dillinger’s love interest is flapper Billi Frechette (played by Marion Courtillard) whom he demands becomes his girlfriend. But between the girl, Dillinger finds himself in a challenging position, trying to come to terms with the fact that bank robberies (his specialty) are no longer the gangster underworlds priority- all the while the FBI are closing in.

Dillinger promises his lady the world, but the crime world is changing and is slowly slipping through his fingers. Crime is beginning to change and Dillinger is blissfully unaware of his role in the crime world. In confusion, he shifts from bank robberies to the gangster world, teaming up with Baby Face Nelson- resulting in more blood shed and death than Dillinger has experienced before.

One of the recurring themes throughout Public Enemies is that Dillinger lives for the now and is unwilling or even unable to consider his future, taking no use for the past. It’s what keeps the lengthy movie in shape and the intense immediacy, stark lighting and effective chaotic action makes the film an easy one to watch.

Camera use and footage from previous Dillinger films is what gives viewers the best angle of the criminal life of John Dillinger. Public enemies, although a long film is worth sitting around for.

A armed gang hijack a train on the New York subway and hold the passengers hostage for ransom. As a result, Dispatcher Walter Garbe (Washington) is forced into a psychological face off with the mastermind behind the crime (Travolta).

If you can’t quite remember who he is, he’s the writer/director behind The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs, The Village, Lady in the Water and The Happening. I’m a huge fan of his first three films - they’re near perfect in my eyes – but his later works have been severely disappointing. Fortunately, if this teaser is anything to go by, it looks like he could be back on track!

A genre change and the adaption of a property which he didn’t create seems to be a allowing him to take a fresh approach to his work.

The story has quite a full on mythical history, so I’ll let you research that, but needless to say it’s set in a fantasy world where certain ‘benders’ can control the elements, Water, Fire, Earth and Air.

Dare I say, I’m back on board the M. Night train. The Last Airbender is currently slated to be released on the 9th of September 2010

www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0ZjjMBXMpk

Toy Story 3 will be coming to life on the 24th of June 2010.

Harry Potter fans will be sitting on the edge of their seat; vast awaiting the world’s most popular teen wizards to attend their 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Harry Potter and his long time friends Hermione and Ron, are heading off to Hogwarts again, but this year (like any other) is not without its fair share of mystery and accidental trouble.

This year turns out to be quite an exciting year for Harry and his friends. To begin the adventure, Hogwarts hires a new teacher (Horace Slughorn), who, Harry later finds out is more useful to him than he first realises. Harry happens to then find a potions book, a book belonging to the mysterious Half-Blood Prince.

But the book is filled with ancient scribbles- on the margins of almost every page- that gives Harry advice on how to improve his potions. The mysterious and enchanting book teaches Harry some helpful and dangerous spells.

Amidst the mayhem, Harry begins private lessons with the famous Professor Dumbledore, during which he learns the dark secrets of Lord Voldemort’s past. Something that both Harry and Dumbledore hope can help to defeat him.

The sixth year at Hogwarts gets more stressful when classmate Draco Malfoy seems suspicious and is caught sneaking around in what Harry assumes is Voldemort’s bidding. But Harry becomes determined to find out exactly what is going on and put and end to Malfoy’s behaviour.

But what Harry Potter film would be complete without Harry and his friends undertaking busy, daily life. School work, Quidditch (Harry is made captain of the team) and romance also play a part in the sixth Hogwarts year. Harry is stuck in the middle of Ron and Hermione’s friendship when Ron gets new “perky” and obnoxious girlfriend Lavender Brown.

But Harry finds a romance dilemma of his own, the wizard realises he is falling in love with Ron’s sister Ginny Weasley- who is already dating classmate Dean Thomas- and pines for her the entire film.

Throughout the school drama there is still the underlying darkness of Voldemort’s evil plan to rise to power, and it is always apparent. The latest Harry Potter film will give you an action-packed climate that is sure to leave you stunned- proving you shouldn’t trust anyone you ‘think’ maybe good and that not all will survive.

With a title like ‘The Proposal’ you know you’re in for a sappy chick flick- so don’t expect anything more. After a two-year hiatus Sandra Bullock is back doing what she does best, starring in the romantic comedy alongside pretty boy Ryan Reyolds.

Like any other girlie movie, The Proposal is filled with clichés and corny one-liners that may make you say, “oh come on”. But the love-y remarks and quirky humour is what we go see chick flicks for, and The Proposal is a film that you will enjoy more if you leave your boyfriend at home.

This film is not about being smart as it is about laughing out loud but will make you quietly chuckle to yourself the entire time. Sandra Bullock plays the prominent New York book editor Margaret who forces her co-worker Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds) into marrying her, to hopefully avoid deportation back to Canada.

Andrew begrudgingly agrees, and to avoid INS speculation the newly-weds find themselves travelling to Andrew’s hometown in Alaska to meet his parents. The parents (Steenburgen and Nelson) are of course full of life, not to mention Margaret gets to meet the quirky grandmother played by Betty White. Soon, New York City girl Margaret finds herself in a range of awkward and unfamiliar situations in the small Alaskan town.

This girlie film has a mixture of the good, the bad and the “they aren’t serious?” and is what you would expect of any romantic comedy.

The Good:

· Ryan Reynolds – Although Sandra Bullock’s acting skills make her snarky character believable, it is Reynold’s who makes the film worth watching. His stoic looks, superb line delivery and interaction amongst characters that makes us watch his every move.
· Betty White – If there’s any reason to see The Proposal it is to see Betty White deliver her hilarious lines. With one liners like “Do you prefer to be called Margaret or Satin’s mistress?”, and her pop culture antics, she is the star of the film and will more than likely make you miss your own grandmother.
· Scenery – the beautiful trees and lakes of Alaska creates picturesque moments you will not forget. Watching this film will make you want to take that holiday you need.
· Laugh Out Loud Moments – there are some really funny moments in this romantic comedy that will have you falling out of your seat. Some may say these scenes are stupid funny- but hey, if they make you laugh.

The Bad:

· Lack of Chemistry – Some have it onscreen, others don’t and unfortunately this couple don’t pull off the romantic part of the film too well. Although both Bullock and Reynold’s play their roles well, there is something missing. There doesn’t seem to be any chemistry or underlying sexual tension that makes romantic comedies work.
· Clichés Galore – perhaps there are one too many clichés in the film, which may push you over the edge. But remembering it is a romantic comedy about a wedding you should probably be ready for the clichés.

Overall the film is great if you want an easy laugh and a feel good flick. The Proposal is quirky, fun and a little bit sappy but is a great 107 minute reality distraction.