Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang (Nanny McPhee Returns)

I really enjoyed the first Nanny McPhee (which happens to be one of the first movies I ever rated on IMDB), and I was pretty surprised when I found out about Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang. But, as I thought it would be, the second installment is just as fun as the first, but unfortunately lacks the magic that the other one had.

Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson) comes to the aid of a harried young mother, Mrs. Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal). Her husband is away fighting at war and she has just received couple of rich kids from the city to look after, in addition to her family. The house seems in a shambles, but with Nanny McPhee's help, everything may just go back to normal...for a little while.

This movie comes as a breath of fresh air. We are stuck in a rut where all the family movies have to be about talking animals so they don't put anything to over the top of little kids heads. Yes, this film does have some animals doing some abnormal stuff, but it isn't stupid. Aside from being extremely entertaining, it has some heart as well. Which is pretty rare, come to think of it. However, I just didn't find it as magical as the first film. I think that is because we know what Nanny is all about, so her character offers no surprises as she did before. That kinda took the great factor out of it.

I think it was pretty good that the sequel was made, and I won't go hating on it. Because I really do enjoy these types of films which remind me of my childhood. Compared to the CGI animal garbage that seems to be in every single family film coming out. And it has a great performance from Maggie Gyllenhaal, who serves as most of the films heart.

A charming movie, just not a patch on the first.

6/10

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

I imagine that the only reason people would want to see this film is because it features Heath Ledger in his actual last performance. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) got most of it's credibility from Ledger's time on screen, because, of course, he was magnificent. And then you have Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell completing his role. Why three? I would have just done with Johnny Depp.
Doctor Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) travels around with a troupe of performers trying to get people to watch and experience his 'magic' and other-worldly things. He invites his audience into the 'imaginarium', where their dreams can come true. Though all of this is very surreal and perfect, the audiences are getting more than they bargained for, along with the troupe of performers...including his daughter Valentina (Lily Cole) who is falling for the wrong person.
In some ways, I felt I had to love this film because of Heath Ledger. In other ways, I just did not get it. It was a visual masterpiece, filled with exuberant performances (one great one from Lily Cole, who I thought was just a super-model) and amazing direction. But it fails to tap into the viewers mind, and unfortunately falls flat in places where it could be aiming for the sky. However, with that said, it is still a film which will enthrall everyone who sees it, thanks to the appearance from Heath Ledger.
6/10

The Prestige

Well, Inception is coming out veeeeery soon, and I wanted to get up to speed with all the Christopher Nolan movies (I have only seen The Dark Knight, yet I call him my favourite director haha). The Prestige (2006) is one great example of Nolan's talents, even though I am sure all of his films are.
Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) used to be friends and assistants to magician Cutter (Michael Caine). But when Angier's beloved wife dies during a trick, he leaves and pursues other areas. Borden becomes a magician, and when Angier finds out, he becomes jealous. It all becomes a story of rivalry when these two become better and better at performing, and Angier becomes obsessed with out-doing Borden.
This is one of those films which you think you have sussed out, but then it turns and you have to suss it out all over again. I must admit, with one watch I find myself a little confused about what happened during it, and will definitely be watching it again at a later date. The Prestige is a film which is dripping with the genius of Christopher Nolan, and I don't think words can describe how great this guy is. If you want a film which has perfect performances and actually gets your brain working, try this one...and then watch it all over again.
8/10