50 hours on a plane = a lot of movies

If there's one thing long-haul travel is good for, it's catching up on all the latest release movies. And with over 50 hours of flying you can bet I watched A LOT of movies! At least 15 and that's only the ones I can remember that actually stuck with me. So here's my picks:

White House Down

This is a take your brain out and enjoy the action and eye candy of Channing Tatum in a singlet kind-of movie. It centres on a group of paramilitary invaders taking out the White House, Airforce One and the Capitol with the intention to kill the president (Jamie Foxx). Channing Tatum is a local police officer on a tour of the White House with his teenage daughter when all hell breaks loose and he finds himself caught up in the middle of it.

My impressions: big action, big bangs, big thrills
Star rating: 3 out of 5

Now you see me

I thought this was an extremely clever film and enjoyed every minute of it. The only thing letting it down was the twist at the end that was a little lame but otherwise it kept me hooked. The story is a group of 4 illusionists (including Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg) performing bank heists whilst on stage and rewarding their audience with the money whilst an FBI detective (Mark Ruffalo) tries to take them down with the help of an old hand (Morgan Freeman).

My impressions: clever plot and great action

Star rating: 4 out of 5

The Great Gatsby

Like all other Baz Luhrmann films this movie is a visual feast and Leonardo DiCaprio - as he does in all films he's in - steals the show as Gatsby himself. The story revolves around Nick (Tobey Maguire), Gatsby's neighbour and his developing friendship with Gatsby which in turn allows Gatsby the opportunity to rekindle an old love affair with Daisy (Nick's cousin). The downward spiral of events that transpires is both inevitable and saddening.

My impressions: visually stunning and moving despite the inevitable sadness of the storyline

Star rating: 4 out og 5

The Expatriate (also known as Erased)

Maybe I'm being a little unfair to this movie as I was busy blogging a post while on the airplane watching it, but I did think this was just another film of the same ilk as so many others. A CIA agent finds himself on the outer and marked for termination as part of a wide ranging international conspiracy. Starring Aaron Eckhart.

My impressions: yawn.

Star rating: 2 out of 5

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

This isn't a new movie but it's one I'd always wanted to watch. It's got an unusual storyline - the very difficult role of a consultant convincing a fisheries expert that the task of transporting 10,000 Scottish salmon to the Yemen to bring fly fishing to the region is not an impossible dream, and is supported by a superb cast - Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt and Kristin Scott-Thomas. It's also humourous (very dry English humour) and has just the right amount of sarcasm and sadness to keep you on the edge of your seat. The unlikely friendship that develops between Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor and the Sheikh funding the venture adds to the journey of faith they are all on.

My impressions: one of the best movies I watched on the plane - I loved it.
Star rating:5 out of 5

Stay tuned next week for more picks......

Have you seen any of these movies? What did you think?