Skins Movie Is Confirmed - Will It Work Out?

Yesterday saw the new that all fans of E4’s teen-hit drama Skins had been waiting for, official confirmation of the production for Skins: The Movie.  Since the fourth series of the teenage drama concluded in the middle of March, full of sex, drugs and breakdowns, there have been growing rumours that a movie was being planned for the future.  Now, it will finally happen.  Production on the film will be based in the Isle of Man and the traditional home of the show, Bristol and starts this September.  The planned launch date is Summer 2011.

The popularity of Skins is huge, with more than 1.5million tuning into the opening episode of the last series.  The show has made big stars out of Dev Patel, star of Slumdog Millionaire and Nicholas Hoult, both actors as part of the first generation.  Generation two’s cast are already getting starring offers to feature in other primetime shows and movies.  Kaya Scodelario (Effy Stonem) has already brokethrough into the box office, with successful movies, while Luke Pasqualino (Freddie McClair) has already been working on a feature-length which is due for a summer release.  The popular lesbian couple on the show, Emily Fitch and Naomi Campbell, played by gorgeous actresses Kathryn Prescott and Lily Loveless are set to star in new shows over the coming months, whilst Jack O’Connell (James Cook) is rumoured to be cast in BBC’s school drama, Waterloo Road.

It is unclear how many of the former characters will return for the movie, though hints suggest it will be based more around the second generation.  However, there will be parts in the movie for the third generation of Skins.  Already, auditions for Series five and six have taken place, with a new cast to be selected in the summer.  The fifth TV series of Skins will burst onto our screens next January.  The movie is to be made by Company Pictures, the makers of the E4 show.

The transfer to the big screen from a TV show is always a challenge and it remains to be seen whether it can work.  Both Pokémon and Power Rangers failed to complete the transformation successfully, so it remains to be seen whether Skins will buckle the trend.  No doubt it is a gamble, but Jack Thorne, the well-respected scriptwriter and regular writer of Skins and the creator of the show, Bryan Elsley will put their hardest efforts into this ambitious project and give the fans what they want, an unforgettable movie to go alongside the successful TV series.  As an avid fan of the TV series, I personally can’t wait for this to hit the cinemas.  Let’s hope it’s going to be a massive success.   

Avatar Movie Review

It may not have had the success in the awards ceremonies at the Oscars and the BAFTA's like Slumdog Millionaire, but Avatar has turned into one of the biggest hits in the box office of all time.


Here is a brief review of the movie - written by good friend of mine, former Media production student at Milton Keynes College and movie critic, Charlie Gardiner


AVATAR MOVIE REVIEW


BY CHARLIE GARDINER


Director: James Cameron
Written by: James Cameron
Staring: Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington

Where do you start when it comes to writing a reviews on films made to this standard?

Cameron has completely changed his expected genre of romantic tragedies and dived into the world of imagination with his “two-worlds colliding” epic.  He has explored the two philosophies of second chances and reasons for things happening.

The film begins with the half-paralysed, ex-marine, Jake Sully looking over the body of his late scientist twin brother, and then finding out that if he takes his brothers place on trip to the legendary land of Pandora, he might have the opportunity to re-gain the ability to walk.  The film explores all aspects of the world and the different characters colliding.

Sigourney Weaver gives an unforgettable performance playing the roll of Grace, who knows everything there is to know about the natives of Pandora called the Na’avi.  She has dedicated her life to the study of their lifestyle and due to this flight over to Pandora, she has been granted the opportunity to connect with them and teach them new ways of living.  Throughout the film you find out a lot more about why the marines have gone to Pandora and what they are after. 


Zoe Saldana’s portrayal of the Na’avi princess is undeniably phenomenal.  She creates a life-form never seen or imagined before and does it so beautifully.  The artistry to create the world of Pandora is beyond magical.  The colours and landscapes used make it so believable and imaginable and helps the audience connect with the Na’avi and understand their love for their planet and home.

All in all, James Cameron has done a phenomenal job bringing the mythological land of Pandora to life and deserves to be remembered for it in many years to come in cinema history.  He did an incredible job with his casting to create it as “un-Hollywood” as possible and I think the most inspired performance comes from Weaver.  She is just incredible. 


Not a bad word can be said against this masterpiece.