The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Today I have been to see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Uplifting all-star comedy in which a group of English pensioners embark on a new life in India.

Fleeing the grim and expensive UK, a bunch of retirees head off to spend their twilight years in the Indian sun. Meet former high court judge Graham (Tom Wilkinson), recently bereaved Evelyn (Judi Dench), racist Muriel (Maggie Smith), frisky Norman (Ronald Pickup), and laid-back Douglas (Bill Nighy) and his uptight wife Jean (Penelope Wilton). But their supposedly luxurious Jaipur hotel turns out to be a dilapidated place run by young, relentlessly optimistic entrepreneur Sonny (Dev Patel). This adaptation of Deborah Moggach's much-loved novel 'These Foolish Things' reveals how India touches the characters' lives in different ways as they start afresh and make often unexpected connections. 'Shakespeare in Love' director John Madden brilliantly captures the colour and bustle of Indian life. He also gets the best out of the cream of veteran British acting talent - plus bright young thing Dev Patel from 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

The Woman In Black

Last Night at Cineworld Bolton I went to see The Woman In Black.

Daniel Radcliffe stars in a spine-chilling adaptation of the classic English ghost story.

A young lawyer named Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) reluctantly leaves his son behind in London and travels to the north of England. Here, at a remote and unfriendly village, he finds the decaying Eel Marsh House, where he is tasked with settling the late owner's affairs. Staying alone in the house, he witnesses terrifying apparitions. Arthur slowly uncovers the village's dark and tragic history - and learns to his horror that children are dying under mysterious circumstances. When the vengeful spirit known as The Woman in Black threatens his own son, Arthur must face a terrifying supernatural ordeal. Adapted by top British screenwriter Jane Goldman from Susan Hill's timeless ghost story (also a long-running London stage play), this eerie tale from 'Eden Lake' director James Watkins marks Daniel Radcliffe's eagerly anticipated first lead role since Harry Potter.

The Vow

Tonight I have been to see The Vow.

Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum star in a touching romantic drama about a newlywed who loses her memory.

Recently married Paige (Rachel McAdams) and Leo (Channing Tatum) are very much in love. Their future looks bright as they laugh and joke together on a car journey. But everything changes in an instant when a truck ploughs into them. Miraculously, they both escape serious physical injury. But when Paige awakes in hospital, she mistakes Leo for a doctor. It turns out she's lost five whole years of her life and doesn't remember him at all. Her last memory is of getting engaged to ex-fiance Jeremy (Scott Speedman). Paige's slow recovery is going to be a real challenge for both of them. Will Leo be able to make her fall in love with him all over again? Inspired by true events, this moving love story celebrates the power of a vow of togetherness.

Chronicle

Last night I went to see Chronicle.

Three teenagers acquire incredible superpowers, but soon learn the downside of their amazing gift.

What would you do if you suddenly found you'd been blessed with mind-boggling telekinetic abilities? For teenage schoolfriends Andrew (Dane Dehaan), Matt (Alex Russell) and Steve (Michael B. Jordan), the answer is obvious: - have a lot of fun! Naturally, they decide to chronicle their prankstering using a camcorder, howling with laughter as they scare a child by bringing a teddy bear to life and take control of a leaf-blower to lift girls' skirts. As the trio's powers continue to grow, they find that they can even move cars using their minds alone. But this also unleashes the dark side in Andrew, and it's not long before events start to spiral out of control. Written by 'An American Werewolf in London' director John Landis's talented son Max, this mind-blowing cautionary tale is told in edgy, 'Cloverfield'-style found footage format. 

Man On A Ledge

Tonight I have been to see Man On A Ledge.

A fugitive's suicide attempt is a cunning distraction in this edgy crime thriller.

When a nervous man steps onto a ledge twenty storeys above the streets of New York City, passers by stop to stare. The police are quickly on the scene and identify him as fugitive ex-cop Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington), who was convicted of stealing a $40m diamond from David Englander (Ed Harris). Negotiator Lydia Anderson (Elizabeth Banks) is sent in to talk him down. But as crowds gather and the media start to report live from the scene, Cassidy reveals that this is all a ruse to distract attention. He claims to be innocent of the crime and that the diamond never left Englander's heavily fortified vault. And to prove it, a crack team led his brother Joey (Jamie Bell) are breaking in to steal it. Versatile stars Sam Worthington and Jamie Bell cement their action-man credentials in this clever heist movie with a twist.

W.E

Today I have been to see W.E

Madonna turns director to explore one of the of the 20th century's greatest love stories.

In 1936, the love affair between King Edward VIII (James D'Arcy) and American divorcee Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough) scandalises England and sparks a constitutional crisis. Ultimately, Edward abdicates the throne to be with the woman he loves and the couple become the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Six decades later in 1998 the big news in Manhattan is the auction of the Duke and Duchess's estate. This has a very personal significance for Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish), who is trapped in a privileged but unhappy marriage. As Wally learns more about the sacrifices Wallis made for love, she becomes emboldened to make crucial changes in her own life. Skilfully intertwining the lives of these two women separated in time by more than 60 years, Madonna reveals universal truths about the search for love and happiness.

J Edgar

Last Tuesday I went to see J Edgar.

Leonardo DiCaprio stars in the incredible story of the most powerful man in 20th century America.

As founding director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover held onto the job for 47 tumultuous years. Admired, reviled and feared in equal measure, he served eight presidents and became virtually untouchable. Hoover placed great value on uncovering the secrets of friends and foes alike, but his own personal life was shrouded in gossip and speculation. Written by Dustin Lance Black, this is the first collaboration between veteran director Clint Eastwood and superstar Leonardo DiCaprio. Spanning seven decades, it covers key events of 20th-century American history as it explores Hoover's crucial relationships with the three people who were closest to him. After his stunning performance as Howard Hughes in 'The Aviator', DiCaprio is perfectly cast as Hoover. Armie Hammer plays Hoover's lifelong companion Clyde Tolson, with Naomi Watts as loyal secretary Helen Gandy and Judi Dench as doting mother Annie.