Wall-E: Love is all around. ****

Disney has always been a driving force behind inspiration. We have all grown up loving our favourite animated friends, some of my favourite include Winnie the Pooh, Timone and Pumba and of course the beautiful Belle and the Beast. Then something special happened, I think the year was '94 and a new company gave us an experience that would revolutionize the way we watch movies. Pixar released Toy Story, the very first full length animated film that used CG animation rather than drawn animation, they also pioneered compelling stories both suitable for adults and children. Now they have created a franchise that is one of the most beloved in the movie world. Pixar seems to hit a home run with every film they churn out and their latest outing is a rather special film.

The power of love is undeniable and here that display is profound and amazing. Wall-E is a story about a robot that has to do the impossible job of cleaning up a garbage filled earth. He puts garbage into his stomach and pumps out cubes of garbage. He is also a collector, keeping everything from bobble heads to an old bra, Wall-E is just curious. Then a space ship lands on earth and this is when the movie gets really special. The majority of this movie has zero dialogue, the only dialogue in the first half of the film are the robotic tones from two robots saying each other's names back and forth. Pixar tries the impossible with this film, let's take the audience and make them believe in the magic of film, this is what Pixar was trying to shoot for. As an audience, we are so comfortable and used to watching dialogue, but when all we see is action and mime, it could swing two ways.

Pixar has studied the art of mime and they have given us a gem to behold. Some people will think this movie is boring and slow moving, especially compared to Pixar's previous films. At the beginning of the movie we are given a world, a world so desolate and lifeless it's almost disturbing. Then we meet Wall-E and Pixar simply reels us into this world that this little robot has lived in. Then he meet's a lovely robot named Eva, and falls in love. That is when this movie soars beyond anything you have ever seen. He goes away from earth and follows Eva into space where humans have driven themselves to the utmost pleasure. This pleasure has driven them all to be obese and lazy and humanity is on the brink of dying. This movie soon turns into a beautiful fable of how two machines have taught humans how to live life again. But, Wall-E just loves Eva, and that is where this movie has it's heart. This movie is profound because it executes it's theme and lovability of this simple robot, it's amazing that we can get so emotional over a silly robot. Pixar has taught us something special, we need to not take our lives for granted because when we give our lives away to the pleasures of the world we can loose sight of what's really important. Love between two people is something very special. This is a romantic outing for Pixar and it's the number one romantic comedy of the year. Sure it has kid humour that will make the kids roar with laughter but what Pixar is doing here is amazing. They are showing us their movies and stories having substance and something more to them, they aren't here to just make simply kids movies. Wall-E is an evolutionary step for Pixar, it's a movie that kids will love but it's also a profound example of what is most important in our lives. This is why stories are so special to humanity.

There is a lot to learn in this movie but what makes this movie truly wonderful is the simple yet beautiful love story between two robots named Eva and Wall-E. Only people with the hardest of hearts will not fall in love with this movie.

Reader Picks.

Is there a movie you absolutely love? Or a movie y haven't seen? Or you just want to throw me a curve ball? Tell me a movie that you want reviewed and I will review it! This shall be fun!

127 Hours: Life is never easy. ****

Few movies come around that really inspire emotion to swell up inside of our souls. Some movies mean to move us by art form and visual grandeur. Other's send us to far away places so that we can escape from our crazy busy lives. Film makers have taken us to Middle earth, and to space, even to courtrooms and ancient cities have been brought back to life. Some films give us an experience that we soon won't forget. These are the films that can teach us a ton about life and it's moments of grandeur, and also ordeal. "127 Hours" is one of those movies that will give you an emotional experience. This movie is everything from funny, to emotional, to utterly horrific, it's a movie that charms but also teaches a tough message.

Danny Boyle is like a swiss army knife, who's made comedies, tragedies, horrors and thrillers, he's also even touched on philosophical ideas. One thing his movies all contain though are a kinetic energy that doesn't disappoint, his camera work is assaulting and on fire, sometimes you're not sure what you're looking at but you know it's something intense. For the first time in the director's career, he makes a movie that is completely well rounded. All of these genres come swamping together with such visceral style and confidence, Mr. Boyle has turned into a fine director. James Franco plays Aron Rolston, the man who's life changed because of a rock. This is how the movie goes, Free Climber Aron goes climbing in a canyon in Utah when a rock falls on his arm and gets him stuck. He sits there for 127 hours, clinging to life, then he eventually saws his own arm off. OH NO! I told you what happens in this movie? It doesn't matter. That's how well this movie is made.

Rolston's ordeal is so intense and so severe that as a movie-goer I had no idea what to expect. The movie rolls fast, it's slick, and fun just like Rolston, but when the rock falls on his arm there's a moment of silence as Franco just looks at the rock in disbelief. In this ghastly moment the title of the movie hits the screen, this is when the beginning of the rest of his life begins. What is witnessed here isn't only and extraordinary tale of survival, but it's about a man who makes a huge life change, a change that's inspiring and empowering and that will surely bring tears to anyone that has a heart. The filming of this movie is fierce and kinetic, it's a blazing vision that is filled to the brim with brilliance and power. You will cry, laugh, gasp, and cover you're eyes in anguish. For the first time in Boyle's career, he uses all of the genre's he has worked with in one film. If Franco is cutting his nerve tendon off to rip his arm off, you will feel it, trust me. Another brilliant part that has set apart Franco into an Oscar nod, was a part where he talks to himself, one is a gameshow host and the other is the show participant. This part is grim and hopeless but it's also very funny. Franco pulls off the dark humour brilliantly and the added laugh tracks makes the scene so much crazier. This part was amazing and it was pure creativity on the part of the film maker Boyle. This movie rushes in guns a blazing and doesn't look back, it's graphic and horrifying but also carries a clear and concise message. This vision is inspiring and uplifting. Just be glad you didn't have to saw off you're arm to figure that out.

The Dark Knight: Devilishly Wonderful. ****

I remember sitting in the theatre, chomping away at my buttery popcorn when the lights dimmed and the trailers started rolling. I love watching trailers. I think I was seeing a useless chick flick at the time when I saw the bat symbol ever so faintly on the screen. Then I heard voices, including his, the Joker's, the best villain ever written in comic or graphic novel form. Then I was really excited for June 2008. Little did we know this film would generate some of the biggest hype and controversy of the year. This movie is outstanding in so many regards, we have Nolan back at the helm with his brother, Bale is back as Batman as well as the other former supporting cast. We also have new comers as well, Maggie Gyllenhal has replaced Katie Holmes as Rachel, and Aaron Eckhart plays Gotham's DA, Harvey Dent, who eventually becomes the mad Two Face. We also have another new comer, Heath Ledger, and having him cast as the joker was the biggest surprise in any film from this decade. His role before this was "Brokeback Mountain", I just couldn't picture that sensitive, sweet man as the evil, sinister Joker. The Joker is pure evil.

This movie transcends what it is actually supposed to be. This movie is supposed to be a comic book superhero movie, at least this is what the audience is thinking when they go to see this film, but what we get is something much more. This movie is an amazing crime thriller, it can be compared to "Heat" or "Dog Day Afternoon", this is a cut throat crime drama. Nolan creates an amazing tension throughout the entire film and he creates something that no Batman movie has had yet. This movie is dark and horrific, it parallels with such movies has "Saw" and "Seven", moments in this movie are dark and hopeless, this is what Batman is supposed to be. Dark, moody, and brilliantly meshed together is what this movie boasts, as the Joker says "It's all part of the plan". This movie twists and turns and jerks you around but it keeps a beautifully evil grace about it as well, as if Nolan was devilishly putting us through one of his evil games. What really makes this movie special is the acting, this is top notch acting.

The characters in a Batman comic book are so big and brilliant. The characters written before us are always beloved and we show empathy towards them, especially the evil ones, but the Joker is the most beloved of all. Heath Ledger has a huge job in front of him playing one of the comic universe's most wonderful and beloved villain, what he does here is absolutely breathtaking. First of all the voice, he changes his voice into this high pitch, squeaky, eerie voice, it doesn't even sound remotely like Mr. Ledger. Second his costuming and make-up are perfect, he doesn't look like a clown anymore, he looks like a lunatic that is truly terrifying. The second scene he shares with a group of mobsters is so hilarious and terrifying all at the same time, watching Ledger carefully calculate his lines and reactions is such a joy, he was flawless in this film. Christian Bale plays Bruce Wayne again and he too gets deeper into his role this time around. He was good in the first one but this second film he is perfect. Batman deals with darker and deeper things in this movie and he resorts to hiding the truth from the public to become the ultimate hero. Bale's Batman is so cool and his Bruce Wayne is so much fun to watch but as he backs up Harvey Dent, we sense a loyalty and a hope within the billionaire, almost like he thinks the city is close to having a true saviour. Probably one of the best scenes in the movie (second best) is when the Joker and Batman confront each other in a holding cell. This scene has fireworks shooting out of it, it's filled with tension and sparks, the two actors together as these characters gives this movie a pure energy. This is one of the greatest scenes in a comic book movie, ever. Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent is another excellent newcomer, Two Face was never my favourite but the way he's portrayed here is excellent and Eckhart plays the tortured man all too well. The best scene in the movie is when the Joker turns Harvey Dent into two face by persuading him. The Joker is in a nurses outfit and he uses his brilliant dialogue and sneakiness to convince Dent to go on a murder rampage. This movie is brilliantly twisted. Maggie Gyllenhal is a very welcomed addition to the Batman franchise but I still am so glad Rachel gets killed off here, I was never a fan of Rachel Dawes in the Batman franchise, Batman isn't a lover he's a fighter and he has some serious villains to fight. Gary Oldman is also a seasoned veteran as the cop turned commissioner, he's just awesome, and he gives the dark film a wholesome heart.

I could go on and on about this perfect film. The Batman franchise has reached it's potential with this film, this is not only an amazing superhero movie but it's an awesome crime thriller that is so dense and epic in scope. Nolan is a mastermind and the perfecter of the "blockbuster" movie. He has exhilarating action with amazing emotion and tension, this is a deadly combo. The cast in this movie are flawless and work so well together, watching these brilliant actors is always a treat. It's sad that Mr. Ledger lost his life and many people say that this movie was overdone because of his death but let me tell you this. Heath Ledger was amazing in this film, he is spellbinding, flawless and brilliantly calculated. He is the best Joker, yes better than Nicholson, he is so demented and crazy that it's so much fun to watch even though it's also disturbing stuff. This is a dark venture for Batman but that is what Batman is all about, staring pure evil in the eye and looking for any sign of hope. Too bad Nolan didn't get nominated for best director, he is a brilliant visionary when it comes to film. This is a brilliant film.

Batman Begins: Batman is finally cool. ***

Rebooting a franchise is always the hardest thing for every film maker. The Batman franchise is the most beloved comic book and graphic novel franchise in the world of comics. Tim Burton did a good Job with the first two films, they were light, fun, and comically entertaining. Nolan has done something special with the first Batman film in a very long time. This made us nervous simply because Joel Schumacher made Batman laughing material. He's back and he is awesome.

The movie begins with Bruce Wayne, played by Christian Bale, in a Chinese prison and we quickly learn that he's there because he wants to be there. Then Liam Neeson shows up and we all know how cool he is. Wayne then goes and works for a mysterious organization that teaches him to use fear against criminals, this is when we find out about Bruce's fear, bats. We see batman birthed on the screen for the first time. Nolan was the screenwriter, producer and director of this movie and the care and diligence shows through his material. We see Wayne flawed and confused as he stumbles to create batman and watching batman evolve into what we know him as is so well done. The casting of the movie was spot on except for one character, Rachel Dawes. Bale is fantastic, he looks, sounds, acts and truly is Bruce Wayne. He is the perfect Batman , Liam Neeson as the mentor is a nice addition and Michael Caine as batman's servant, Alfred, was perfect as well. Let's not forget about Morgan Freeman as Fox, the man who builds all of those cool gadgets. Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes was not the best choice. Katie isn't a great actress, she does what she needs to do here but never really makes Rachel important in the movie. There is no real Che,is try between herself and Bruce, but then again, Rachel in the graphic novel was merely a side note as well.

This movie is made with such staggering poise and confidence. Just as Bruce Wayne struts his way into the room, this film is a mighty handsome action film. The villain is the scare crow, and a major crime lord, they add a nice touch but the real meat of the story is how Batman became who he is. The action is fun, the sets are polished but I sense that there is something holding this film back. A sense of, "okay we need to tell this story to get this this other part", batman never really reaches his height. At the end of the movie we are left with a cliffhanger, a hint at the Joker for the next villain, and bat,an really isn't anything without the joker.

This is a slick and poised action flick boasting some excellent acting and directing. Batman has never been cooler and the scare crow is marvellous, Liam Neeson is also a nice touch. This movie is a wonderful reboot, a fresh vision on a dull franchise. It's wonderfully exciting, dark, and insanely fun to watch. I am excited to see more from this very own batman franchise, it will be exciting to see where Nolan takes this. Please do not bring back Katie Holmes, there's a start.