Cloud Atlas

Yesterday in Llandudno I went to see Cloud Atlas.

This sweeping drama examines the connection between the lives of several characters across the centuries. Stretching across a vast expanse of time, Cloud Atlas is a hugely ambitious epic about the spiritual link between people from different eras. The film interweaves six different stories ranging from the 19th century to the distant future, each one forming part of a glorious tapestry of human existence. Beginning in 1849 with an American lawyer who is travelling across the South Pacific Ocean, the narrative then encompasses a composer in the 1930s, a journalist in the 1970s, an author in 2012, a clone bred for a life of servitude in 22nd century Korea, and a tribesman living in post-apocalyptic Hawaii. Adapted from David Mitchell's extraordinary novel by Tom Tykwer and Matrix filmmakers Lana and Andy Wachowski, this kaleidoscopic, visually dazzling feast features a superb cast including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant and Jim Broadbent.

Broken City

Today in Llandudno I have seen Broken City.

Sparks fly between Hollywood heavyweights Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe in this riveting thriller. Disgraced ex-cop turned private detective Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg) is thrown a lifeline. The Mayor of New York City Nicholas Hostetler (Russell Crowe) is set on cleaning up the apparently 'broken' city and hires the former lawman to act as his eyes on the ground. But events take an unexpected turn when Billy is hired to trail Hostetler's glamorous wife Emily (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and capture evidence of her rumoured infidelity. A seemingly straightforward assignment soon turns out to be anything but, as Billy uncovers shocking scandal. Soon he's double-crossed and betrayed by Hostetler, the most powerful man in the city. Now streetwise Billy is out for justice! A-list stars Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe bring their commanding talents to this riveting mano-a-mano thriller, one that plunges audiences into a world where loyalty and trust are built on corrupt foundations.

Safe Haven

Today in Llandudno I have been to see Safe Haven.

This deeply romantic drama centres on a woman who flees her troubled past to start a new life in a small American town. Katie (Julianne Hough) has recently arrived in the close-knit community of Southport, prompting questions among the locals. As they strive to know where she came from, Katie appears resistant to forming emotional ties with anyone. That is until she meets Alex (Josh Duhamel), a widowed storeowner with two children. The pair eventually form a connection and begin a passionate affair - but Katie is haunted by a dark secret that she finds impossible to truly escape from. Soon, she senses that danger is starting to encroach on her life in Southport and her newfound romance comes under threat. This latest adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel features the author's winning mixture of tender intimacy and swooning romance, this time infused with a suspenseful edge as the shocking details of Katie's past come to light.

Warm Bodies

Today in Llandudno I have been to see Warm Bodies.

Can zombies fall in love? That's the irresistible question at the heart of this quirky comedy horror. Based on the debut novel by Isaac Marion, Warm Bodies is the darkly comic story of romance between two complete opposites. In the wake of a devastating zombie apocalypse, America is now populated with hordes of the undead. Among them is R (Nicholas Hoult). Incapable of communicating beyond a few basic grunts and groans, R is lonely and simply wants to connect with somebody - a tricky proposition given his penchant for human flesh! But then he encounters human survivor Julie (Teresa Palmer), who sets his heart pounding - literally. R immediately falls in love with Julie and in the process starts to become more human. If only he could convey this to her father General Grigio (John Malkovich) who's intent on blasting all walking corpses on sight. R's change of heart sets in motion a brilliantly funny spin on the zombie movie, in which love really does conquer all.

Les Miserables

Today in Llandudno I have been to see Les Miserables.

A ground-breaking film adaptation of the global hit stage musical, with an all-star cast singing their parts live. After serving a long prison sentence for a petty crime, Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) becomes a noble force for good. But he reckons without Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe), the policeman who pursues him obsessively for breaking his parole. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of French revolutionary history, Victor Hugo's classic 1862 novel has been adapted for stage and screen many times. But no version is better loved than the stage musical, which continues to break records in its 27th year. In bringing this powerful story of broken dreams and unrequited love to the screen, 'The King's Speech' director Tom Hooper decided to have the performers sing live rather than miming to a recording. The result is a spectacular musical epic of extraordinary immediacy. Its superlative cast also includes Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Song For Marion

Tonight I have been to see Song For Marion.

Terence Stamp and Vanessa Redgrave star in this tender comedy drama. Crotchety Arthur (Terence Stamp) is married to Marion (Vanessa Redgrave). Much loved by her husband, Marion is tragically dying of cancer and wants to get the maximum enjoyment out of life. She sings in the local seniors chorus named The OAPZ - so named because the conductor Elizabeth (Gemma Arterton) wants the chorus to sound 'street'. Elizabeth's aim is to introduce the pensioners to contemporary music from artists like Gnarls Barkley as they prepare for an important Choir of the Year competition. But when Marion is stricken by her illness and unable to participate, it falls to grumpy Arthur to step up to the plate. Will he be able to do his beloved wife proud? The stage is set for a funny and moving story of reconciliation and the redemptive power of music, featuring the unforgettable image of elderly pensioners crooning Ace of Spades by Motorhead!

Beautiful Creatures

A young witch sets out to change her destiny in this brooding, dark teen fantasy. Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert) is a new arrival in the town of Gatlin. A loner at high school, where she is the subject of malicious gossip, Lena lives an isolated existence with her family in a crumbling mansion. Soon, she finds herself attracted to Ethan Wate (Alden Ehrenreich), who is bored of small-town life - but Lena has an amazing secret. She and her family are in fact 'casters,' witches who possesses strange and mystical powers. However, Lena and Ethan's romance is threatened by the imminent arrival of her sixteenth birthday, when her powers will be 'claimed' for either light or dark. If she is seized by the forces of darkness, Lena will be powerful enough to rule over all mankind. Can she escape the age-old curse and change her fate? This visually stunning combination of fantasy and romance is adapted from the first novel in the hit Caster Chronicles series.