'The Dilemma' as a movie, is one big dilemma after another. 

At best, The Dilemma is a mediocre comedy, that you are likely to forget before ejecting the DVD. Despite its inefficiency to work as a movie, it is hard to pin-point exactly where The Dilemma goes wrong. The story line, actors, and script are all okay - nothing standalone screams "fail". The movie just plods along, presenting us with an easy Sunday afternoon watch while we wait for the potatoes to boil.

The premise centres upon two middle aged ordinary guys, who have been best friends since college, Vince Vaughn as Ronny Valentine and Kevin James as Nick Brannen. They are both happily in relationships and have recently started their own automotive design firm. Ronny is the cheeky-charmer who glides business to their firm, and Nick is the brains behind the company. ‘The Dilemma’ arises when Ronny awkwardly stumbles upon Geneva (Winona Ryder) his best friend’s wife, kissing an random stranger (Channing Tatum). He is left with the decision of whether to tell his best friend (and possibly hinder their firms success) or keeping the affair a secret (and face damaging his friendship). As a friend, the answer would be fairly simple… but as the genre is comedy the fairly indubitable decision is throw up into the air, with Ronny instead opting on a journey through dangerous and disastrous times.

Vince Vaughn (who I respect as a valued comedic actor) plays the role well, his script is fairly limited in a comedic sense, which restricts him as a actor. None the less, he does provide a few laughs along the way. Tatum’s role as Zip, the electric tattooed hunk and the target of Genevas affections, is the tie that holds the film together, his role is fairly small, yet provides the majority of the humour. Tatum is convincing as a raving loony and showcases his acting ability to diverge from his usual mans-man role.

The Dilemma - which is - a middle aged woman’s affair, is never explored enough to leave you understanding the whole concept of the film. You don’t know how, or why, Geneva and Zip’s got together, and their obvious differences make you question their relationship, this isn't helped by their lack of charm and chemistry together.  

The Dilemma attempts a few heartfelt moments, yet lacks in believability. Many of these 'serious moments' are either started or followed by attempts of comedy, in which effects the results of both the comedic effect and the emotional aspect. As a whole The Dilemma fails as a ‘Vince Vaughn comedy’, and isn't heartfelt enough to be a drama, instead, it ends up falling somewhere uncomfortably in between both - with neither the comedy or drama succeeding. 

Release Date: UK: 21/01/11

Certificate: 12A

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Winona Ryder

Director: Ron Howard 

A brawn and bred cinematic dream! Your visit to see Magic Mike is a night you won’t forget! 

Over time cinema has seen an array of movies showcasing female flaunting, take for instance, Coyote Ugly and Burlesque. However, a long time has passed since a movie bared the bulge and had us ladies in a fluster. Magic Mike takes what audiences loved about The Full Monty (1997) and provides audiences with a regenerated and contemporary take upon the male entertainment industry. If you’re ready to handle some buff, bronzed and boorish male heart-throbs tease their way into your lives, then allow Magic Mike to fulfil your needs.

Magic Mike is based loosely upon Channing Tatum’s experience as a male stripper in his teens. Tatum co-produced the movie, and honestly plays the lead role as “Magic Mike”, a thirty year old self-described “entrepreneur”, who owns small businesses in roof tiling, car detailing and designing custom furniture. Money struggles are a plenty, so in order to continue building his businesses’ he earns some extra cash (usually screwed up and attached to his g-string) as one of the “Cock-rocking Kings of Tampa”, a male stripping act who work at the club Xquisite. The plot evolves when Mike meets a nineteen year old naïve and directionless football scholarship dropout Adam (Alex Pettyfer) whilst working on a roofing job. Their working relationship quickly blossoms into a friendship, which leads Mike to introduce Adam to his “Kings of Tampa” work mates. Adam begins by lending a hand backstage at Xquisite, before he is awkwardly thrust on stage and encouraged to undress in front of an awaiting female audience. His shyness is an instant hit with the ladies as they see his timidness as an act. After Alex is hired by the clubs manager Dallas (Matthew McConaughey), he is taken on a wild journey through some dark and dangerous times, where he makes more than one too many implausible decisions.

The actors are perfectly cast for their roles; Tatum and Pettyfer showcase their ability to give a humorous, yet touching performance. While McConaughey works a treat as the straight-talking erratic manager, who at one point teaches Adam how to gyrate in the gym, wearing a crop top and the shortest shorts (you won’t be able to keep a straight face through this scene!). Matt Bomer, Adam Rodgriguez and Joe Manganiello are the buffed bronzed and frankly beautiful fellow dancers, who spend the majority of the film undressing, gyrating, and looking pretty - (what more could we want?).

The storytelling may be pretty foreseen, but there’s no doubting the films honesty and good humoured nature. Magic Mike is the perfect movie for a girly night out!

Release Date: UK: 11/07/12

Certificate: 15

Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey

Director: Steven Soderbergh 

The latest Nicholas Sparks' adaption that you must see!

Before going to see a movie I try and keep my expectations under wrap. I’m a firm candidate for building up expectations, and willing for a movie to sweep me off my feet. When the movie doesn’t quite kick to this standard, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed.

Recently I’ve started leaving my expectations at the cashier counter, and enjoying the fact that I’ve only spent around £3 (Thanks Orange Wednesdays) around the same price you’d pay for a half decent sandwich.

However, now I face my first stumble. As I have already built up a bundle of hopes for this one movie. 'The Lucky One' – The adaptation of the best-selling novel by Nicholas Sparks, the author of ‘The Notebook’, ‘Dear John’, and ‘The Last Song’, and to note - some of my most beloved.

‘The Lucky One’ appears to target the same rom-com lovers who indulge in a deep thought provoking tearjerker. Zac Efron ("17 Again," "Charlie St. Cloud") stars alongside Taylor Schilling (TV's "Mercy") and Blythe Danner ("Meet the Parents" franchise).

U.S Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault (Efron) returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq, holding the one thing he believes has kept him alive – a photograph he found of a woman, a woman he has not yet met. He searches to discover her name – Beth (Taylor Schilling) where she lives, and then turns up one day at her door. After a brief introduction he ends up taking a job at her family-run local kennel. Beth has a complicated and misleading life, which leads to her have her doubts about Logan. Yet as time passes the two develop a romance and a friendship that will touch may hearts.

Certificate: 12

Release Date: 2/5/2012

Starring: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Blythe Danner

Director: Scott Hicks

The director of Charlie’s Angels – ‘McG’ hits the movies again with This Means War.

The ravish pairing of Chris Pine and Tom Hardy alongside Reese Witherspoon works a treat for this predictable yet laugh-out-loud romantic comedy. Like Charlie’s Angels it attempts to take the cushy softness out of rom-coms, by adding elements of danger, separating the film from the genre and appealing to different audiences.

This is Hardy’s first role in a rom-com. Despite sticking to a tough guy role, his character certainly appears soft on the inside, and his versatility as an actor is shown as he plays to role with such ease and precision. Hardy’s and Pine’s natural chemistry on-screen and an equality rewarding script, formulates a ‘bromance’, which becomes the admiring factor within the movie.

The film centres upon two top CIA agents (Pine and Hardy) who test their friendship when they partake in an ‘i-want-i-get’ challenge to win the affections of a beautiful woman (Reese Witherspoon) who they both meet separately on the same day.

The emotional level is not quite the same as some of the rom-com greats, but if you can look past the stalker tendencies and two-timing; there is a romance somewhere in the mist you can enjoy.

Like every rom-com the eye candy is abundant and pristinely turned out, and Witherspoon is always a treasure in such a role - the sweet girl next door, who even manages to get away with the fact she’s two-timing two guys.

As the plot unravels the ending becomes pretty predictable, but it doesn’t have the potential to ruin the film, it just reassures you that what you thought was going to happen… does. Critics have disregarded this movie, mainly down to the genre, yet – audiences seem to love it!

(Take on this challenge: I bet you can’t make it all the way through the movie without weighing up the options as to which one you’d choose… Pine? Or Hardy?)

Certificate: 12

Release Date: 2 march 2012

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy

Director: McG

One for the Money is an adaptation of Janet Evanovich's beloved novel, yet fails to thrill on any level. Appearing mis-script, mis-cast, and mis-directed.

I’m usually the first to rave about Katherine Heigl’s movies – such as the likes of 27 Dresses, and Knocked Up. Yet, One for the Money was by far her most unbearable and soporific work yet. Heigl is such an adorable actress whose natural wit and charm usually coincides perfectly with crude and humorous material, yet her role as harder edge Jersey girl – Stephanie Plum, doesn’t play to her strengths. Plum is supposed to be an independent ‘miss-attitude’, but Heigl’s role in this character appears to flop at every hurdle, proving to be flat, unconvincing and awkward. The only savoir - is that Heigl differs from her usual ‘girl next door cutesy image’ – and appears brunette and dressed as her mum, which inversely prevents the movie from looking like a Jessica Simpson movie.

Stephanie Plum is a divorcee, who’s an unemployed ex-lingerie seller, who has recently lost her car to a debt collector. Desperate for some cash, Stephanie convinces her cousin Vinny to give her a job: as a recovery agent at his bail bonding company. Yes, the girl that is convinced pepper spray is an armed weapon, and who is squeamish at the thought of holding a gun becomes a Bounty Hunter. With no experience she puts herself forward and opts to track down the number one fugitive and bail-jumper – Joe Morelli (Jason O’Mara). The same guy that seduced her at high school…then didn’t call.

The film has no character depth, fails to surprise, and lacks any essence of flirtation or romance. The potential for flirtation and sexual tension is there – yet fails to exude. There are a few moments within the film where you are left hanging, waiting for the erosion, such as when Morelli ties Plum to a shower curtain naked. The banter and potential is there - but there is no connection what-so-ever.

There are parts that may give you the giggles, the majority due to the sassy black hookers, whose ghetto language brings a humorous edge or Plum’s battle-axe grandmother who also has a comedic script – it’s just a shame they have an unimportant small role in the movie.

If you haven’t seen any of Heigl’s previous movies, and don’t expect to see a female James Bond, then you possibly won’t be too disheartened. If you take this film with a pinch of salt, and look past the flaky premise then it’s worth a watch.

Let me know what you think!

Release Date: 24 February 2012

Certificate: 12

Starring: Katherine Heigl, Jason O’Mara, Daniel Sunjata

Director: Julie Anne Robinson

In the animal world, the male species are renowned to fight. Fight for food, fight to mate, fight to prove that they are the ‘alpha male’. Others may try and step in their way and challenge them, but it is always the greatest and strongest that will conquer.

Little differences can be drawn from the human species – in particular males. Who compete over - Who gets the last Mars bar? Who can get the most girls? Who has the best ‘abs?

But imagine the conflict when mates and colleges Foster (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) realise that their desirable girlfriend – the one they they’ve both been bragging about for weeks – is the same girl – the very own Lauren Scott (Reese Witherspoon).

So here’s the premise – Both don’t opt to go down the ‘normal guy’ resolution to the problem. Instead of leaving her, fighting over her, or humiliating her, they collectively choose to both continue to date Lauren to her discretion – all in the bid to see who she favours over the two. As unusual, yet simple as that may sound – things don’t stay that way for long. Did I ‘forget’ to mention that they are both CIA agents with a hidden vengeance?

This flick’ doesn’t appear to have the force to win many awards, but looks certain to put a few smiles on our faces this February.

I’m sure fans of Mr. and Mrs. Smith will approve.

Your first glimpses of Easy A may lead you into believing that it is yet another teen movie. The high school comedy, with a compilation of stereotyped characters, love conquests, and school ‘dramas’. But don’t let your intuition drive you away from this movie, or in other words – don’t judge a book by its cover. Not many films can top some of the high school greats – 10 things I hate about you and American Pie, but Easy A is a certain exemption from some of the tacky high school flops, and its inclusion of post modernism and post feminism alongside the ‘typical’ high school drama add depth to the film.

The first I heard of Easy A was from the boyfriend. He mentioned watching it and actually enjoying it. Despite his evident liking for Emma Stone he was adamant that she wasn’t the alluring factor and that he truly enjoyed it. Baffled as to why he ditched the guns and fighting for a high school comedy I was intrigued into catching up with this movie.

Olive Penderghast (Emma Stone) like many high school students just wants to be popular, and become the object of her colleges desire. In a matter of weeks the dwindling violet reforms into the girl shes always wanted to be. She is a virgin, but who goes along with a rumour sweeping her school - that she slept with a college guy. As the rumour grows and Stone is unable to deminish the tab hanging ears and luring looks. She decides to go all-out with her new persona and ‘dresses to impress’, until her newly formed stipper image and similar mentality results in people assuming she is somebody in which she is not.

Stone’s character is adorable and easy to relate to. She speaks directly to the audience via a webcam sitiuated in her bedroom where she openly records her hearty feelings (which evidently shows the post modern links). The films backbone comes from working in parallel to Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, (1840) and highlighting the irony of her modern day situation.

Easy A is an easy watch, that offers something different to vast amount of high school comedies. A film you can watch with the boyfriend, with the added eye candy of Penn Badgley (Gossip Girl’s Dan).

Release date: 2010

Certificate: 15

Starring: Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes and Penn Badgley

Director: Will Gluck

Writer: Bert V. Royal

If you liked 'The Notebook', and '50 First Dates', then get booking your seats for ‘The Vow’ right this minute!

The film stars Rachael Adams, and Channing Tatum, (What's not to love about that combination of beauty?!) and centres on the events that occur after discovering that the love of your life has been involved in a fatal car crash is in currently in a coma. If that wasn’t traumatic enough, Paige (Adam’s) awakes to have no recollection of who she was pre-coma, and is left baffled as to the love she once shared with Leo, (Tatum). Paige’s severe memory loss has left her at a loss to who she once was, and she faces a period of rediscovering who she once was, whilst Leo attempts to make her fall back in love with him.

If any of you are familiar with ‘Desperate Housewives’ you’ll be able to relate the scenario to Mike and Susan, and the occurrences they went through as a couple. I have recently have just completed Season 3, which centres upon Mike's memory loss and Susan's battle to reform their love, and found the story line so touching and easy to emote with.

The movie looks certain to bring more than a few tears to our eyes, and bring back the true emotion we found within 'The Notebook' and '50 First Dates', and of course we'll find it easy to fall back in love with Channing Tatum.

Perfect for the loved up month of Feb' - Watch out for a review of the film!

Release date: 10/2/12

Certificate: 12A

Starring: Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, Sam Neill, Scott Speedman, Kristina Pesic, Jessica Lange, Rachel Skarsten

So, you opt for a cosy night in with the loved one - the take away is ordered, the wine is chilling, and then you find your self faced with the impossible.

Do you play it safe and offer to sit through another 'Jason film', this being Bourne or Statham, (admittedly - we don’t mind ogling for a few hours) however, guns, gore and two hours jam packed with testosterone isn’t the best recipe for a cosy night in.

On the other hand, neither do we want the boyfriend sulking in the kitchen with a beer for a companion, if we pick one of our girly chick flicks.

When the rare occasion does arise, that we’ve been granted permission to raid the ‘girly’ section of the video store (Most likely – Valentines day or our birthday) undoubtedly were going to get a little carried away and hunt for the soppiest film we can find (After all, surely we deserve it after all those long hours watching Statham)

But if you fancy a cosy night in without the strops at the video store, I’ve put together a collection of films which will cater for your softer side and allow your boyfriend to keep his man points!

Happy dating!

What happens in Vegas (2008) Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher

When two opposites collide there is always going to be an eruption, and that is exactly what happens in Vegas.

Joy McNally (Cameron Diaz) is a career driven woman, whose uptight attitude pushes everyone away from her including her fiancé. Jack Fuller (Ashton Kutcher) is a slob. His lazy behaviour has driven him into unemployment after his boss sacked him, his boss also happens to be his father.

After a week of downs, they both individually adventure off on a trip to Las Vegas to drown their sorrows. Due to a computer error in their hotel, their paths cross, as they end up lodged in the same room.

After an initial personality clash, they decide to hit the town and forget their troubles. However they wake up to a different type of trouble. Their married.

Whilst discussing their mistake, they win three million dollars on a fruit machine. Jack put the quarter in the machine, but it was Joy’s quarter in the first place, so who would have ownership of the money if they divorce?

After taking the issue to court, the judge freezes the money until they have lived as a married couple for 6 months. After being forced to move in together, both embark on a mission to make the others life hell, in an aid to force the other out of the marriage and away from the 3 million dollars.

“A film you can watch over and over.”

Hall Pass (2011) Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis

From the directors of “There’s something about Mary”

When you catch your man eyeing up a leggy blonde, you smirk about him having a ‘one track mind’, when you catch him doing it again, you give him a slap on his wrists, however when he unconsciously eye stalks every female within a 10 mile radius, and you unearth his obsession with porn you comprehend giving him the boot.

However Maggie (Jenna Fischer) and Grace (Christina Applegate) decide to adapt a different plan after taking advice from a friend, and give their husbands a “Hall Pass” - a week away from their lives, away from their marriage, and away from any responsibility.

But what happens when you take two suburban dads, with ordinary jobs and a wardrobe full of sweaters, and put them back into the life of a single 20 year old. (Well the consequences are pretty predictable) but you’ll definitely have a laugh along the way.

Rick, Fred and their ‘posse’ of middle aged dads hit the town. Well, Applebee’s a
family restaurant at 7p.m, in search of hot young females. However with chat-up lines like “Excuse me, are you Irish? Because when I look at you, my penis is doublin’”, you can imagine the response that they receive.

Rick and Fred find them selves struggling to fit back into the life they thought they wanted, as they move from one problem to the next, including numerous rejections, attempts to get fit at the gym, and being kicked off a golf course after a few too many pot brownies.

Their wives lightly decide to take a few days off their lives, and effortlessly find them selves in a whole new life, surrounded by hunky males, and lots of accelerating opportunities.

The “Be careful what you wish for” scenario, seen in many fairytales, develops throughout

This film may not be one to watch with the family; however the crude acts, toilet humour, and nudity will defiantly appeal to the boyfriend.

“Not the best movie, but offers something different to watch with the boyfriend”

The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005) Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd

“Best Comedic Performance – (MTV Movie Awards 2006) Steve Carell”

Andy Stitzer (Steve Carell) is the living definition of a middle aged man still living a life with his V plates firmly in tact. Living alone, with only video games and his elderly neighbours for companionship. You could say his social life isn’t exactly steaming. His life is passing him by while he works endless hours in the stockroom of an electronic store called SmartTech. When a co-worker drops out of a poker game, he reluctantly takes the spare seat and embarks on a rare social event with his co-workers, David (Paul Rudd), Cal (Seth Rogen), and Jay (Romany Malco).

You can imagine the embarrassment when the conversation turns to sexual exploits; Andy’s awkward attempt to “fit in” rapidly grinds the conversation to a halt, as he compares the feel of a woman’s breast to a “bag of sand”. The group take pity on him, and decide that they will help him on a conquest to lose his virginity.

Needless to say, their advice doesn’t exactly fill Andy with confidence, but what other choices does he have? Watch Sex and the City? Indulge in Cosmopolitan magazine? His sparse knowledge of how to thrill a woman needs more than a few hints and tips, so he sets out with the help of his colleges on a breath taking journey to loose his V plates and find love.

“You won’t be left feeling disappointed after a date with ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin’”

Knocked up (2007) Seth Rogen, Catherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel

Once upon a lifetime, most people have that one night where they loose their inhibitions and more than likely their dignity too, all in the aid for that one indulgent act of guilt free fun, or in other words a ‘one-night stand’. Whether this being a celebration of their youth, or a so called ‘mid-life crisis’, the large majority don’t accidentally stumble upon their soul mate, but simply end up denying the fact anything ever happened and gracefully move on.

However, this definitely wasn’t the simple answer when Ben met Alison. Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) a lazy immature goof, who’s days consists of mainly smoking marijuana, and Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) a career minded blonde beauty, meet in a bar, and after more than a ‘few too many’, they end up sleeping together. Waking up the next morning to realise that they have absolutely nothing in common, and feeling mutually confused as to why they ended up in such a situation, they decide to go their separate ways and follow the well known tradition of ‘denying the fact anything ever happened’.

All was going smoothly in their lives, until a few weeks later, when they hit a mighty bump. A bump that is certain to stick around for longer than one night. Katherine is pregnant, and yes you guessed it, Ben is the Daddy. As expected there are many clashes, but the journey is definitely one you'll want to follow.

“Similar humour to the ’40 - Year Old Virgin’, a little too crude at times, but different to the stereotypical ‘chick flick’”

Here come... the Bridesmaids!

Most wedding based rom-coms usually involve Kate Hudson or Katherine Heigl in a desperate search for the ‘perfect man’, with their sweet nature and beautiful looks what’s not to love eh? I’m the first to admit that I myself am a sucker for the ‘lonely girl searches prince charming’ story line. However every now and again I feel the urge to watch a rom-com that looks past cheesy gestures, chat up lines, sloppy snogs and the stereotypical heroine. Bridesmaids’ strips back the features we’d usually expect to see whilst watching a rom-com, and presents a film which is relatable and has the ability to warm hearts.

It’s not very often we see the heroine having rampant rudey time with her play mate within the opening scenes, being rude, disorganised and frankly being a hazard to society. However, despite wanting to admit to it, we can’t help but find ourselves drawn to Annie, (Kristen Wiig) the female lead in Bridesmaids. We don’t connect because we feel sorry for her, but because we can relate to her in some way. Whether it’s because you’ve felt lost in a job, lost in a friendship, or lost in your own individuality, Annie shows real emotions towards a real life love story and the true battle of friendship through challenging times.

The film centres on a group of females who have been brought together due to the arrangement of their friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) wedding. This may sound nothing out of the ordinary; however add in a mixture of bazaar personalities, huge amounts of stress and the meltdown of the maid of honour and we have ourselves a cocktail for a great film.

When Annie finds out that she’s going to be the maid of honour at her best friends wedding she is overjoyed, however, her best friend’s happiness only highlights the sheer breakdown of her own life. Annie’s life took a U turn when her baking business, in which she invested all her money, went broke; and she was forced to work at a jewellery store just so that she could afford the rent towards her tiny bed-sit she shares with two people she has little to nothing in common with. Alongside a love life that is weaker than Bridget Jones’, Annie had well and truly hit rock bottom. 

Or at least she thought she had. Annie’s life is disturbed further when she is forced to compete for her friendship with Lillian against Lillian’s new friend Helen (Rose Byrne) an organised, beautiful, multi-lingual, miss perfect. As they fight to organise the bridesmaids’ party, the group of friend’s individual problems emerge and Annie tries to find her way back up the rock.

Wiig finally gets the lead role she deserves, after a few minor appearances over the years, including this years Paul. She has been introduced as the new face for rom-coms. The IT Crowd's Chris O'Dowd was the perfect casting as the very funny Mr nice guy, his charm melts the audience as his personality comes across ‘real’ and is very believable on screen. 

Melissa McCarthy, who plays the role of a man hungry, food obsessed tomboy, takes the films humour to an all new level. Her dirty banter and predatory ways would have anybody in stitches laughing. She has many memorable moments within this film and I’m sure her role in this film will be hard to forget.

From start to finish Bridesmaids’ twists any assumptions of a wedding based rom-com, and vows to change your view on a female driven comedy.

Release Date: June 22^nd 2011

Certificate: 15
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Chris O’Dowd, Rose Byrne
Director: Paul Feig