Realising that this movie was about a teenage girl dealing with girlie issues while developing into womanhood I decided that as a reviewer this was the sacrifice that I would have to make. I entered the theatre with another 40 women and thought that maybe I had mistakenly stepped into the Fifty Shades screening but rest assured I saw the correct film and thanks to some amazing acting I really enjoyed it. The lead role of Christine 'Lady Bird' McPherson is played by an extraordinary young actress, Saoirse Ronan. At 24 she has just received her third Oscar nomination for this role and many will know her from The Atonement, The Lovely Bones and Hanna. She is very believable as the gawky 17year old in her last year of high school struggling with friendships, boys and the prospect of college in a family without financial stability. Laurie Metcalf is her hardworking mother who wants the best for her daughter but is unable to express this desire in a supportive and caring manner. Her father, played by Tracey Letts, reminds me of my own dad and his relationship with my sister. So although I never had daughters I realised that having a sister made Lady Bird's life and struggles familiar to me. The story is not new as we watch Lady Bird deal with being an outsider wanting to be part of the in-crowd. Leaving old loyal friends for new 'cooler' friends who don't provide the happiness she was looking for. My favourite quote comes when Lady Bird is shopping with her mum and when they are sharing the thoughts he mother says what all parents say 'We just want you to be the very best you can be" In response the young girl questions 'What if this is the best I can be' As the movie progresses we see where Lady Bird's talents lie and as they awaken she becomes more aware that the things she sees as holding her back are really what she loves the most. I was a little disappointed in the last couple of minutes which seemed to be thrown together to tie up the film but apart from that I really enjoyed it. This is a movie for daughters and mothers and grandmothers and aunties to see together as it will bring back memories and show that each generation has experienced similar experiences leading to where they are today. 8 Friends out of 10.

When I first met the Black Panther in Avengers - Civil War, I have to admit I was not a fan. He was fixed on revenge and took the wrong side in the battle. He seemed too shallow to be able to carry a story of his own. I will now eat my words and declare that Black Panther is the best single character movie in the Marvel Universe. Let me first review the film for its entertainment value. The back story is fascinating as we understand the politics of Wakanda and the complexities of T'Challa's (Black Panther) family relationships. We also see the strength of Wakanda, its resources and technological advances and learn that it has chosen to be isolationist and protective of what it has. Without revealing any spoilers the story unfolds with a very even mix of action, humour and narrative and one more important aspect missing from many of the Marvel movies, it has real substance. The story is relevant and what I was really impressed with was that the villain of the piece had a believable motivation for his actions. The cast was very impressive with Chadwick Boseman and Michael B Jordan in the lead roles, Jordan will be a star in his own right very soon. Strong female characters in Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong'o and Letitia Wright also impress. I was worried that the Martin Freeman character would serve as a token white character but his role was effective and provided opportunities to strengthen the commentary. Andy Serkis, who played the madman Ulysses Klaue, is the same actor who played the Gollum, Caeser the Ape and Snoke. I hope that one day the Academy recognises him for the life he brought to these amazing characters. The movie soundtrack was subtle but its rhythm was felt throughout the length of the movie and I noticed a number of shoulder rolls when leaving the cinema. I spoke earlier of the added substance to the story that strengthened the plot and its relevance to today. Without preaching it raised the issues of countries that isolate themselves and fail to share its riches with others. At the same time, it recognised that those in a position of power do not have the right to impose their own standards and beliefs on others. The film did not pretend that it had the answers to any of these questions but was able to raise these issues with a subtlety that may encourage some viewers to consider these issues. In relation to race relations, I interpreted the message "Acknowledge the wrongs of the past but live for the present" as a standard that should be adopted here. I really enjoyed the movie and look forward to Black Panther and his loyal subjects in Avengers - Infinity War I give it 9 friends out of 10 P.S.…

Clint Eastwood has directed some wonderful movies, Million Dollar Baby, Unforgiven and Gran Torino, but unfortunately the 87-year-old doesn't deliver with the telling of this true story. It is based on a real event that occurred on the abovementioned train from Amsterdam to Paris in August 2015 which resulted primarily in three backpacking friends disarming a man carrying close to 300 rounds of ammunition. Clint Eastwood made the unusual decision to allow the three main characters to play themselves in the movie, and Mark the guy who got shot. even though none of them had any acting experience. The film focuses on the backstory of the three young men, how they met, how they got into trouble together, how none of them ever achieved their dreams!!! Two of them join the armed forces but not with the units that they wanted and I don't think we ever find out what the third guy does but it can't of been great as he complained of having no money. Together they decide to share a backpacking holiday around Europe. The next 30 minutes feel like you are watching an episode of Getaway dedicated to an Under 30 Kon Tiki tour. Lovely scenery but adds no strength to the plot except how everyone tells them not to go to France. But the main character can feel his destiny drawing him towards Paris and since they had already bought the tickets why not go anyway. The final scenes revolve around the actual event where possible the worst terrorist in history makes his move. Having smuggled two guns, a Stanley knife and a petrol can on board he holds up in the toilet until he makes his grand entrance. He is confronted by elderly passengers who wrestle his rifle from him, he recovers and shoots one so that he can recover his main weapon. The rifle then jams as the main hero grabs him and they beat him unconscious, although I have to say his friends were a little slow on coming to the rescue. Real newsreel then shows the three and some other guy (not sure what he did) getting medals from the French President. I understand where Eastwood was trying to take this and show that it takes courage to do something in the face of evil. Unfortunately, the three young men didn't have the personalities to carry the movie and it showed the importance of using actors when it comes to acting. The story had merit but was more suited to a 20-minute documentary rather than a feature film I'm giving it 4 friends out of 10

For those of you who are Guillermo Del Toro fans please go and see this film as I am sure you will enjoy it. It carries all the trademark style of a Pans Labyrinth with weird creatures, maze-like caverns and a strong female character fighting against an evil male representing the military. You will be caught up in the romance of good overcoming evil and unlikely concepts of love. However, if you are looking for a movie to be entertained then let me share with you why this is not for you. Warning there will be spoilers. The story is set in the 1960's revolves around Elisa, a mute female janitor played by Sally Hawkins, who works at a water research facility. She is shown as a lonely woman with an older male neighbour, Giles, with whom she shares an affection for older movies, TV shows and music. At work, she cleans the facility with her friend Zelda, Octavia Spencer, who does enough talking for the two of them and while Elisa is mute she does not appear to have any problems communicating with others. One day while they are cleaning one of the research rooms, which could have been transferred directly from Frankenstein's castle, a water tank is brought in that is housing a large human-like creature. At the same time, we meet the evil security man, Strickland, who we learn is the real monster of the movie Even though the monster rips two of Strickland's fingers off, Elisa feels a strong bond with the creature as they are both lonely and neither can speak. Even though the creature is military secret Elisa is able to sneak into the room where it is held and decides to share an egg with it. She then sneaks in an old style portable stereo with which she plays music to the creature with no one finding out. After teaching it sign language to say egg and music the emotional connection is complete and they are BFF's. Strickland decides that the creature is not of much value and decides to kill it and cut it up to see how it works. In true James Bond fashion, they set its termination for two days time instead of straight away. Elisa finds out and makes a plan to help the creature escape. She recruits her gay neighbour, who is also lonely, to her mission and they arrange to break the creature out of a high-security military facility by placing it in a laundry basket and driving it out. Along the way, she is aided by a Russian spy/Professor who believes the creature should be saved even if it means Moscow misses out. Fellow janitor, Zelda, also becomes involved and they are able to rescue the creature and take it back to her small apartment where she keeps it in the…