Trolls

This and "Moana" arrived together, and I have the worst food poisoning of my life and needed something funny. All I knew about "Trolls" going in is that most said it was damn funny and I liked the theme song. I didn't know it was a musical, so that caught me off guard, as I'm kind of meh on many musicals. This was really really funny though - the script was both snappy and witty. I'm absolutely awful as placing voices, so I was really surprised to see everyone who voiced this in the credits - they were all great, with special nods to Zooey Deshenel and Russell Brand, and obviously the two leads were awesome.. It really did make me laugh out loud quite a bit, so I'm happy I went with this tonight, I will watch Moana in a day or so. 4/5

Trolls on Netflix

Army of One

This is the best acting I've seen from Nicolas Cage in a long while. He was truly funny and captured the zany (and true) nature of Gery Faulkner perfectly. I adore Russell Brand and he was great as ever in this. However, the script was a bit spotty with enough holes to drive a dump truck through. With a touch more cohesion this would have been a four-star film, but it was good nonetheless. 3.5/5

Army of One on Netflix

Paradise

The new Diablo Cody is a huge letdown from "Young Adult" - shallow plot with hollow characters doing nothing. Bah. 2/5

Paradise on Netflix

Despicable Me

I really enjoyed this & loved the voice work but I felt it was missing that extra something that hits the heart. 4/5

Despicable Me on Netflix

Rock of Ages

Tom Cruise is transcendent in this perfectly casted but oddly edited adaption of the hit musical. So much fun. 4/5

Rock of Ages on Netflix

Hop

The animated parts of this Easter comedy are far better than the live action counterparts with wonderful voice acting. 3/5

Hop on Netflix

Katy Perry: Part of Me

Rented entirely to see Russell Brand, I have to admit I did find this both interesting & entertaining. 3/5

Katy Perry: Part of Me on Netflix

The Tempest

Julie Taymor missed the mark ever so slightly with this retelling but tremendous acting truly saved it. Djimon Hounsou was perfection as Caliban but Mirren not nearly as evil as she should have been. Interesting take. 3.5/5

The Tempest on Netflix

St. Trinian's

I'm honestly shocked that I enjoyed this rompish farce with a star-studded cast as much as I did - quite funny. 3/5

St. Trinian's on Netflix

Arthur

Oh dear, another novel. I need to explain this one much more so than the last. I hated the original Arthur. Despised it really. I found it nearly impossible to sympathize with the characters, particularly Arthur himself who I loathed. And yet, I always recognized that Dudley Moore is nothing short of genius in that role and that it should stand as a classic for all time. When I head it was being remade I said for the record it should never be touched, but, if anyone were to try it, Brand was the only one to attempt it. I said that long before becoming smitten with Brand, which is the only reason I watched this TBH. I had the same problem with the remake as I did the original - the plot & characters are shit. However I was right - Brand gave an honest & emotional portrayal that Dudley would have loved. The weakest part was Gertler who was awful - Mirren however was amazing. So... just not my cup of tea. 3/5

Arthur on Netflix

Russell Brand in New York City

It's official, I'm in love. This is the funniest stand-up I've seen in a while - I adore him. No, seriously, total new celebrity crush time. Sorry baby, but he's divine. *flutter* 5/5

Russell Brand in New York City in Netflix

Get Him to the Greek

Brand & Hill are absolutely perfect in 1 of the funniest, most laugh producing films I've seen in a while. 5/5

Get Him to the Greek on Netflix