Metro's Monthly Movie Review - 'The Hunger Games - Catching Fire'

Each month a team member of MetroPM writes a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Alice Connaughton has reviewed the movie ‘The Hunger Games - Catching Fire'. Directed by: Francis Lawrence and Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth & Woody Harrelson.

Firstly I'd like to say that if you haven't seen the original 'The Hunger Games' movie then I suggest you do. Following on from 'The Hunger Games' original film, 'Catching Fire' begins from when Katniss returned home safely after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games with Peeta. In the original film most will know that at sixteen Katniss volunteered in her sisters place to enter into the games and was forced to rely on her sharp instincts and was mentored by the drunken Haymitch. Winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games meant that Katniss and Peeta are required to turn around and leave their family and close friends to embark on the 'Victor’s Tour' of the district. This occurs from the commencement of the film, it is intense and flows back to 'The Hunger Games' film. It certainly is a film sequel where you need to see the first to fully understand the next. If I had the time, I would have preferred to see 'The Hunger Games' and then flowed into seeing 'Catching Fire' so that everything was clear in my mind when it came to the storyline.

I must admit at times I was a little lost in what was happening, but as the movie progressed it all fell together. Throughout the film Katniss was sensing things where not right. The Capitol throughout the film is very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games, The Quarter Quell.

Not giving too much away, I highly recommend seeing 'Catching Fire'. A movie that is certainly interesting and captures your attention throughout the entire film. This is a perfect film to watch with friends or family.

Metro's Monthly Movie Review - 'Blue Jasmine'

Each month a team member of MetroPM writes a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Melissa Venn has reviewed the movie ‘Blue Jasmine'. Directed by: Woody Allen and Starring: Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard & Sally Hawkins.

Blue Jasmine is the funny, emotional and dramatic tale of Jasmine a high flying New York socialite that seemingly due entirely to her corrupt and bankrupt husband Hal (Alec Baldwin) falls far and hard into the reality of life in the ‘real world’ far from her millionaire housewife friends and their homes in ‘Martha’s Vineyard’.

The story starts with Jasmine moving in with her sister Ginger in her modest San Francisco apartment with Gingers’ two sons. Their relationship is soon seen as one of take-take and Jasmine is the taker (as it seems in her nature) all the while Ginger keeps trying to pep Jasmine up (although Jasmine does that herself with constant pill popping to hold together her sanity). Ginger takes her out and helps her to meet other people, gets her a job and tries to help her get back on track.

What ensues is a dramatic film filled with quirky moments (as only Director Woody Allen knows how). You often don’t know if you should feel sorry for Jasmine or hate her. Her path of self-destruction seems easily remedied but she only knows the ways of the wealthy and how to ensure she gets what she wants, using what she sees as “her god given talents”. Her fantastic world is one that is in her head in the memories she holds and the lies she tells herself.

Although this movie seems a bit ‘full on’ I did find myself laughing throughout the film at different points and I really enjoyed being taken into the world that Cate Blanchett’s character creates for herself whether a happy or sad tale in the end (I’m not going to give it away). This movie is quirky and will leave you thinking and I definitely think Cate is up for some awards here with this film. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Metro's Monthly Movie Review

Each month a team member of MetroPM writes a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Merryn Schmidt has reviewed the movie ‘Now You See Me'. Directed by: Louis Leterrier and Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Michael Caine & Morgan Freeman

'Now You See Me' is a star studded movie including, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, (Aussie) Isla Fisher, Michael Caine and my all time favourite actor Morgan Freeman. Right from the opening scenes you are captivated by the wonders of magic and illusion, as you are very quickly introduced to the four main characters, but beware as; "The closer you look, the less you see".

Four unrelated magicians answer an intriguing  invitation, from a mysterious source, 12 months later,  they return to the stage as 'The Four Horseman'. Performing to sold out audiences, 'The Four Horseman' perform the perfect bank heists, but not for their own financial gain.  It is the audience who financially gain from these illusions, in a modern day 'Robin Hood' style.

FBI and Interpol Agents are constantly made to look the fools, as they endeavour to solve these unexplainable crimes, without admitting to the power of ‘magic'. Of course there are twists and turns, but this cleverly made movie will keep you entertained and guessing to the end.

I took my 3 teenage children with me to see the film, and we were all captivated from beginning to end. Part of what appealed to me, apart from the awesome cast, was that there was no extreme violence or coarse language, just good quality entertainment. 

I highly recommend seeing ‘Now You See Me’ and give it a 4 Star review!

Metro's Monthly Movie Review

Each month a team member of MetroPM writes a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Alice Connaughton has reviewed the movie ‘The Lone Ranger'. Directed by: Gore Verbinski Starring: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer & William Fichtner.

I walked into the movies expecting to be wowed, but to be honest the previews wowed me more than watching 'The Lone Ranger'.

2 hours and 15 minutes into the movie and I wasn't impressed. Yawning, checking my watch as to when it may end and wondering what the jokes where all about. I kept looking around seeing everyone else heavily involved in the film. Being the youngest in the cinema, I felt that 'The Lone Ranger' was perhaps directed at 'baby boomers'.

Taking my dad along with me, I could see he was thoroughly enjoying it. "To get an appreciation of the movie you really need to be aware of the Lone Ranger TV series",  Dad stated at the conclusion of the film. He also went on to say, "I felt that it was like a 'send up'. It took a comical look at the Lone Ranger and if my brothers and I all went together it would be a night full of laughter and enjoyment".

Action packed, comical, stupid, questionable, confusing and funny are all words I would use to describe the movie. It was a story (in my eyes) that didn't really go anywhere. Going for too long I felt it could have been reduced and parts of the film could have been cut out. 

I personally wouldn't recommend this film, but if you asked my dad he would.

Happy Movie watching! 

Metro's Latest Newsletter is here!

Hot off the press our June quarter newsletter has arrived. In this issue Leah introduces you to Metro Property Sales, our two new websites (yes two of them!), there's tips on photography (in order to lease your property quicker), advice on Depreciation and a competition to win a $250 Coles/Myer gift card by 'liking' our MetroPM facebook page during this month of July.

Happy Reading and, as always, we'd love your feedback.

Click here to read the Latest Metro Newsletter.

An Exciting Month Ahead with a Big Announcement!

From the desk of Leah Calnan, Director of Metro Property Management

It's with excitement and enthusiasm that we announce the joining of 'One Property Consulting and Estate Agents' of Ashburton with us here at Metro Property Management.

 

The joining of the two businesses is part of the expansion plan of even more suburb coverage across Melbourne. With well over 2000 properties under management and now close to 200 suburbs covered, why wouldn't we be the logical choice for expert property management services?

 

We also welcome the amazing knowledge and skill set of team members Kristy Lubransky, Nivek Dunne and Kaye Tait.

 

I am looking forward to meeting all our new clients and am excited about bringing many new elements to their property management experience now and into the future!

 

Until next time...
 

Metro's Monthy Movie Review

Each month a team member of Metro writes a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Marie Dunkhorst has reviewed the movie ‘21 and Over'. Directed by: Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, Starring: Miles Teller, Justin Chon and Sarah Wright.

If you haven’t watched a bad movie this year yet, this is the ONE.

You’ll get the 'American Pie' version of 'The Hangover' just on a much smaller budget. When Miller (Skylar Astin) and Casey (Miles Teller) take out their best mate Jeff, played by 'The Hangover’s' Justin Chon, what a magnificent choice for his 21st Birthday, the night before his big medical school interview. As you can imagine everything gets out of control.

'One beer' turns into a night of excessive drinking and soon they don’t know where they are anymore or how to get back home to Jeff’s place. A wild search starts and the boys find themselves in the most random places and situations. The writers of “The Hangover” (that wasn’t surprising now, was it?) have tried hard to make 'gross-out' situations hilarious. For most teenagers this movie might actually be kind of funny, but for us, people in the adult world, a 'full on' drunk on a riding bull spewing his guts out is not even close to being funny.

My verdict: Don’t waste your time.

Metro's Monthly Movie Review

Each month a team member of Metro writes a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Melissa Venn has reviewed the movie ‘Identity Thief’. Directed by: Seth Gordin, Starring: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, Amanda Peet, Robert Patrick & Eric Stonestreet.

I have to admit I’ll see pretty much anything with Jason Bateman in it. I have liked him since the TV show ‘Valerie’ in the 80’s (wow showing my age there, but I was little) and then after seeing Melissa McCarthy was in this film too I was sold! I loved Melissa in ‘Bridesmaids’ and her physical humour and awkwardness found her way into this film too!

You can’t go into this film expecting too much, I didn’t and I left feeling I got what I came for. There's nothing too deep and meaningful here, some big chuckles and a nice ‘lesson learnt’ type of ending and that’s what I got. If you want more than that then this may not be the film for you. I spotted a review the other week and the reviewer seemed annoyed at the plot being similar to other films he’d seen and the movie being predictable well,  I think he was taking this film and perhaps himself a little too seriously.

The story goes that Sandy Patterson (Bateman) has his identity stolen by a con-woman Diana (McCarthy) whom has an empty existence of shopping to keep entertained, to feel worthwhile and to gain friends in her lonely life. The real Sandy has started a new high paying job when a bad police check comes back he realises his identity has been stolen. He is kept from starting his high paying finance job until he can prove it’s not him and clears his name.

After trying the police and frustrated with their lack of urgency Sandy decides to take matters into his own hands and seek out Diana ‘Sandy’ himself. What ensues is a storyline that involves Bateman tracking down female 'Sandy', forcing her to agree to come back to his work to tell his boss he is not the criminal and in doing so there are car chases, rattle snake incidents, an interesting rendezvous with another man and McCarthy and so much more. There are life lessons learnt along the way but they aren’t too ‘in your face’ and sappy, just nice and you will like the ending.

I really feel this could be a film you could wait to see on DVD but it is a chuckle so make sure you see it one rainy day. I’m sure we will be seeing more of Melissa McCarthy in films to come, her ability to make a fool of herself is endearing and Bateman as always never fails to come to the ‘comedy party’.

I give it a rating of 7/10

Metro's Monthly Movie Review

Each month a team member of Metro writes a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Jenn Williams has reviewed the movie 'Silver Linings Playbook'. Directed by: David O. Russell, Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro & Jacki Weaver.

With it's fabulous cast, left of centre storyline & opening scene in a State Institution, Silver Linings Playbook is a rom-com of a different type.

You can't help but feel empathy for main character Pat Solitano (played by the handsome Bradley Cooper) as he tries to rebuild his life after 8 months in a State Institution. His obsession to reunite with his wife at times can be frustrating as you watch him miss the "signs" from new found friend Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence) who is rebuilding her own life.

With a football obsessed family, a dance competition & a blossoming friendship, 'Silver Linings Playbook' has a little bit of something for everyone, the Dirty Dancing style "lift" definitely won't be forgotten!

A beautiful & strangely light hearted movie about staying positive despite the challenges life throws at you.

Metro's Monthly Movie Review

Each month a team member of Metro writes a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Marnie Smith has reviewed the movie 'Flight'. Directed by: Robert Zemeckis, Starring: Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Kelly Reilly, John Goodman & Melissa Leo.

Denzel Washington hasn't put a foot wrong in his plethora of leading roles over the years and 'Flight' is no different.

Playing the role of Captain Whip Whitaker, an arrogant airline pilot who lives a lifestyle of drugs, copious amounts of alcohol and conscionable discern for consequences. Denzel is both convincing and infuriating.

You find yourself emotionally connected from very early on. Feeling the pain and frustration of those trying to help someone who won't help themselves. While the underlying physics of the heroic landing appear somewhat questionable, so too does the role of Whip. I found myself undecided between hero and villian as the investigation into the days proceeding the crash reveals the ugly truth of addiction.

Captain Whip finds himself entangled with a recovering addict. One might presume this would have a positive impact on the emotionally turbulent hero. Instead, Whip finds himself spiralling out of control with fear, guilt and denial reaching an all time high.

Ultimately, the truth sets us free. However, this certainly is not a feel good flick.
My recommendations; don't go with a pilot and don't wear a white top if you are going to eat a choc top.

I give this movie a 14/20.
My pilot friend gives 18/20, although anything with an aircraft is an easy way to score points with that one!

Metro's Monthly Movie Review

Each month a team member of Metro writes a movie review to share with you. And this month our Director Leah Calnan has reviewed 'Wreck it Ralph'

Movies and school holidays go hand in hand, so this week I enjoyed 'Wreck It Ralph' with my three children.

Firstly when you get there you need to get over the initial shock of the movie ticket prices, which is then followed by the "How much is the popcorn moment"??? So once we got past this, we were ready to sit down and enjoy another Disney movie.

A Disney movie is always a wonderful experience, and having spent time in Disneyland a little while ago, I always find it exciting when I have the opportunity to sit back and see how incredibly talented the people behind Disney really are.

What I didn't realise was, 'Wreck It Ralph' was in fact an actual game played in arcades just as the movie shows. Thanks to Gen Y for updating me on that one!! Anyway, Ralph decides he no longer wants to be a 'baddie'.  He wants to be a 'goodie' because no one invites him to parties,  he lives at 'The Tip' and he doesn't really have any friends. So he goes off to join another game in the arcade where he can show the people from his game that he can be a 'goodie'. However that adventure goes somewhat 'pear shaped' because whilst becoming a 'goodie', he ends up taking 'baddies' into a third game within the arcade.

But, don't despair - like all good movies there is a happy ending but with a few more twists, turns and lots of lollies and sweet things along the way (you will understand when you see it). I must say Jane Lynch makes the movie. You simply cannot take 'Sue Sylvester' (from the TV Show Glee) out of her voice!!!

So on behalf my children, they have provided the following opinion ratings on the movie, Cooper rates the movie 19/20,  Jack rates the movie 13/20 and Liam says its 12/25.

Take the kids and see what you think for yourself...

Metro's Monthly Movie Review

Each month a team member of Metro writes a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Kylie Jacobs has reviewed 'The Sapphires' Directed by: Wayne Blair, Starring: Deborah Mailman, Chris O'Dowd & Jessica Mauboy.

I typically love the big blockbuster movies, packed with stars and most likely costing more to make than what they earn. However as I get a bit older I'm realising that they are all pretty much the same. In saying that, with 2 young children I don't get to the movies too often so I am somewhat sceptical when going to see some of the smaller budget movies for fear of wasting my time. 'The Sapphires' was definitely not a waste of time! I absolutely loved this movie. It made me laugh, cry and left me wanting more!

From a Murray River Aboriginal mission to Vietnam, 'The Sapphires' tells the true tale of four Koori songbirds who in 1968 are flown to the war-zones of South Vietnam to perform for the American troops. While the film explores the obstacles Indigenous women experienced during 1968 Australia, the leading women were never painted as victims, but rather empowered, bold heroines. The film is not afraid to tackle the serious issues and while there are some moments that pack a severe emotional punch the overall tone remains positive and upbeat.

The soul classics throughout are fantastic! The music is structured around the story line rather than the other way around making it a movie about music rather than a musical itself.

Performances across the board are spectacular but it is Chris O'Dowd (from the popular blockbuster 'Bridesmaids') who ties it all together with a his infectious humour.

Definitely a must see!!

Metro's Monthly Movie Review

Each month a team member of Metro will be writing a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Eleni Hayek has reviewed 'Hope Springs' Directed by: David Frankel Starring: Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones & Steve Carrell

Hope Springs is a beautiful love story of Arnold & Kay. Married for 31 years, Kay (Meryl Streep) decides to take a leap of faith to persuade Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) to attend marriage counselling. Arnold, at this point a bitter old man showing no signs of possible love for his beautiful wife, finally agrees to attend counselling with Kay. 

The situation that they find themselves in is in a seemingly loveless marriage with two grown up children. A place where some couples find themselves when the nest is finally empty, sad, lonely and perhaps with a stale routine.

The time they spend in Maine with their counsellor (played by Steve Carrell) is a challenge at first for Arnold as he finds it hard to show his true thoughts and feelings about his wife. The charming courtship that follows is such a beautiful mixture of genuine love, compassion and the true feeling of getting to know one another.

A true sense of how time can drift people apart and how we revert back to innocence.

Hope Springs is a must see, you can't help but walking out feeling inspired to show the one you love just how much you love them.

Metro's Monthly Movie Review

Each month a team member of Metro will be writing a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Tamasan Freyer has reviewed 'Ted' Directed by: Seth MacFarlane, Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane & Giovanni Ribisi

If you thought the 2009 smash hit ‘The Hangover’ was the 'bees knees', then you sure are in for a roller coaster of a giggle with this year’s most anticipated comedy ‘Ted’.  Starring Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, and the directorship and voice of Seth MacFarlane, this epically funny film follows the story of John Bennett (Wahlberg) and his real life teddy bear, Ted. 

When eight year-old John’s wish for his bear to come alive is miraculously granted, they both embark as “thunder buddies for life”. The pair are inseparable, especially when it comes to beer, bongs, and Flash Gordon.

Every bloke in the cinema roared with laughter during the poignant moments when Ted and John sing the Thunder song with a fart noise to finish, and when Ted makes suggestive use of his supermarket checkout scanner to impress a co-worker, and of course when Ted hits a parked car because he was “sending a Tweet”.

What is so refreshing about this film is that both women and men, young and old, could all share in the laughs whatever the joke entailed. MacFarlane’s humour is so unrestrained and so crude that there is no room for being offended. Every audience member understood from the very start that this was a space for laughing, and being open, and embracing one’s inner immaturity (which is not as ‘inner’ for some). 

When John’s long term girlfriend Lori (Kunis) insists that it is time for Ted to move out so that John can grow up, John struggles to be the responsible 35 year-old. He can’t help but ditch Lori’s work party to attend Ted’s wild beer-infested house bash attended by none other than Flash Gordon.
Here we see the party that may just have been the inspiration for the ‘The Hangover’, inclusive of a crazed duck, an irate neighbour and one helluva brawl. John’s revelation to Ted that he has “lost everything” after Lori walks away is so profound that the audience is silent for the very first time.

Ted showed us just how hard it can be for our husbands, boyfriends, or brothers to conform to our ‘responsible’ expectations, and cross over to the land of adulthood when marriage comes into view. I couldn’t help but stare at my twenty-five year old partner and think, I have to wait TEN YEARS for you to learn not to make fart noises in the supermarket line??! And for the guys, they could heave a collective sigh of relief that they weren’t the only ones still fantasising about sinking shots with a childhood action movie star. 

Watching Ted in a booked out theatre of almost three-hundred people, we all cried with laughter, and laughed even harder at those who couldn’t control their snorts and hysterical giggles. More importantly however, we could  all relate to the film, and celebrate the fact that there is a kid in all of us, no matter how old or how young.

Metro's Monthly Movie Review

Each month a team member of Metro will be writing a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Courtney Gardoll has reviewed 'The Five Year Engagement' Directed by: Nicholas Stoller, Starring: Jason Segal, Emily Blunt & Chris Pratt

Having recently become engaged myself I was looking forward to seeing this movie, as weddings are on my mind!

Jason Segal, best known for his work on the TV series 'How I Met Your Mother' and in the film 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall', heads up the cast while also co-writing this edgy romantic comedy, which plays to his style of comedy. 

The Five Year Engagement explores the modern day dilemma of managing a successful career and a relationship. We meet Tom and Violet, played by the hilarious Jason Segal and the gorgeous Emily Blunt respectively, who after a year together have become engaged.

The couple then move interstate as Violet has secured her dream job. Tom gives up a fantastic career of his own for the move and this leads to him becoming increasingly distant from both Violet and society. Violet can see this happening but chooses to ignore it by burying herself in her work with her charming boss while Tom continues to hide his true feelings about the move even though he has promised to let her know as soon as he’s unhappy. The wedding gets postponed again and again while the couple fall in and out of love, much to the dismay of the ever passing away grandparents. It takes some soul searching for each of the main characters to realise what the audience has known all along, that they belong to each other, with the movie coming full circle back to the start only this time with a twist.

There is a good mix of both crude and obvious humor and sweetness between the characters and also, as in forgetting Sarah Marshall, Jason Segal’s butt! A special mention should be made to Tom’s best friend, Chris, and Violet’s sister, Suzie, who deliver many of the funny scenes.

I give The Five Year Engagement 7/10, whilst you may go into the film thinking this is your typical romcom the on screen chemistry between Jason Segal and Emily Blunt is amazing.  You could not be blamed for thinking the actors had an offscreen romance, although I have heard them in interviews vehemently denying so.
I would recommend getting to the cinema and seeing it, but I can also see how it may not be everyone’s style.

Full Steam Ahead into May

From the desk of Leah Calnan, Director of Metro Property Management

In news at Metro this fabulous month of May.

The team and I most recently popped up to the Gold Coast for the annual Leading Property Managers of Australia  (LPMA) Conference, it was an informative couple of days with some great speakers and presentations. It’s always great to see what other businesses are doing and what we as a company can learn from them and implement. I know that Samantha Taylor (New Business Manager) and Eleanor Dewar (Leasing Specialist) certainly got a lot out of the conference themselves, as did I. The LPMA Awards night was also a highlight of the trip. Although no wins we felt like stars on the night, dancing the night away and coming away with some beautiful Finalist trophy’s, Metro PM for ‘Property Management Company’ of the year and Eleanor Dewar for the ‘Rising Star’ Award. A great time was had by all and we hope to bring home a few wins next year.

Mother’s Day is this month, just a friendly reminder... in case it has slipped your mind, and this year it falls on Sunday the 13^th of May. We all hope you have something special planned for your mothers, if not you best get shopping! Many of the Metro PM Team and their families are taking part in the famous ‘MDC’ or ‘Mother’s Day Classic’ Fun Run. We are walking to raise money for Breast Cancer research. Every dollar we raise through fundraising goes towards vital research into the prevention and cure of breast cancer. You can help us to make a difference in many Mother’s lives by donating online here http://ow.ly/9V9MN Why not donate as a gift to your mum? You can personalise a message for them on your donation too if you like!

And in other news this month we are holding our third complimentary ‘Metro Wealth’ seminar of the year entitled “First Time Investors” presented by Financial Planner, Nicholas Don. The seminar is being held on Monday the 21st of May at 6.30-7.30pm here at our office located at 461 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn. If you are currently thinking of investing for the first time, if you have some savings or equity, or if you haven’t thought about property but want to build wealth we think you should consider joining us for this informative session (Seats to these events are often snapped up quickly, so get in quick as seats are limited to just 15!) Contact Melissa Venn at melissav@metropm.com.au or on 03 9831 3006

Well that is all for now from the busy Metro PM team and I.

Until next time...

Metro's Monthly Movie Review

Each month a team member of Metro will be writing a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Samantha Taylor has reviewed 'The Hunger Games’ Directed by Gary Ross Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth.


I went along to see the Hunger Games, without knowing anything about the story line, not having read the book and therefore no expectations.

From the previews and ads I had seen I was quite hesitant about how gruesome it would be.
The movie starts slow, without much explanation in relation to when it is set, what year or why they are lined up to be ‘selected’ for the games. Not having read the book it is relatively hard to follow in the beginning.

In short the government asserts its authority over the small towns by selecting one boy and one girl from each ‘district’ 24 teenagers in all; to compete annually in a reality TV show called 'The Hunger Games'. The teenagers are chosen at random from a bowl containing everyone’s names, not dissimilar to the lottery. The chosen 24 are then abandoned in a futuristic wilderness, only one can win and this is the last one left alive.

The story centres around a tough young lady, Katniss Everdeen who offers herself to the games in the place of her younger sister whom is originally choosen. There are many challenges that they face over the course of the game; what skills each ‘player’ has to survive, who is popular with the spectators/audience (the audience watching can sponsor people involved in the game by sending them tools of survival), who will form alliances, who may be falling in love? The contrast between the dull, plain districts and the bright, fascinating city is incredible. The director has done a great job capturing the differences in class and culture. I was very pleasantly surprised that the violence was minimal and easy to watch (allowing it’s PG-13 rating).

The story is well set up and you can’t help but notice the similarities between the reality TV shows we now see on TV and the reality TV show created in this movie. The way those that are involved and controlling what happens to the contestants in the hunger games manipulating the world around them to generate more interest and viewers is not dissimilar to our current reality shows such as Big Brother and The Biggest Loser, you cant help but wonder if this is where we may be heading in the next 10-20 years.

Although the movie is long (running for approx. 142 minutes) you don’t notice until you leave theatre. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, and the ending leaves you feeling that although the games may not be over, it is not the end of the story.

I went and bought the book almost immediately, to compare and indulge in the story again and, as books usually do, enjoyed the detailed original and bits that may have been missed in the movie. Well worth a look.

Metro's Monthly Movie Review

Each month a team member of Metro will be writing a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Karli Wise has reviewed '21 Jump Street’ Directed by Phil Lord & Chris Miller Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Ice Cube.

Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum make a hilarious crime fighting couple in “21 Jump Street, the movie is based on the Johnny Depp TV series in the 1980’s. The actors represent two policemen who go undercover at a local high school.

In high school Schmidt and Jenko were definitely opposites, one being a lot more popular than the other. Schmidt was the nerd while Jenko was the typical jock. The two of them were not friends at all. A few years later they met up again at the Police Academy where they trained to become police officers. They formed a pact where Schmidt helps Jenko with the written work which is to be completed to pass and Jenko helps Schmidt with the physical.

On one of their first missions the two are assigned to 21Jump Street with a leader who is actually actor & rapper ‘Ice Cube’. They are given their assignment where they have to act as high school students and try and find out information about a new drug that is being sold.

The majority of the movie is based on the two undercover policeman acting as “students” being clumsy and messing around. The two succeed in their assignment and in the meantime there are many crude jokes and funny situations which they get themselves in. One scene has the two of them throwing a party where they serve alcohol and drugs to all the underage kids.

This movie is a very different role for Tatum, everyone who is familiar with Tatum as an actor would be used to him being in a romantic movie where he is known for his good looks and amazing body. This movie shows a new side to his acting and his ability to be the ‘funny guy’, which comes as a surprise. He has both an intense and goofy approach in this movie that makes the scenes involving him better than they should be.

Johnny Depp, Holly Robinson Peete and Peter DeLuise starred in the original TV series and they make appearances in the movie which is great considering it was based on this  series.

Overall I thought this movie was great, it was very amusing and such good eye candy for the ladies. Who doesn’t love a movie with Tatum in it?

Metro's Monthly Movie Review

Each month a team member of Metro will be writing a movie review to share with you. And this month team member Melissa Venn has reviewed 'Any Questions for Ben?' Directed by Rob Sitch, Written by: Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro & Tom Gleisner, Starring: Josh Lawson, Rachael Taylor, Felicity Ward, Daniel Henshall & Christian Clark.

To start with I love Australian Film and I love to support it wherever I can and when I saw the cast of this film my friends and I were keen to see it especially since the writers had in the past come out with some fantastic films such as The Castle & The Dish - no pressure?

The story follows Ben a 27yr old guy living in the heart of Melbourne with a job that most people could only dream of a ‘Strategic Brand Manager’ where socializing and partying all part of his job it seems. Ben is loving life and enjoying it to the full ie: dating famous tennis players, being paid to party and attend ritzy events with the ‘beautiful people’ until he is forced to stop to truly reflect on his life. Ben is asked to speak at his prestigious academic high school. He is invited by the principal (cameo by Director Rob Sitch) to speak about his job, according to his friends this is a great honor and he should feel excited and proud of this achievement.

The night of his High School speech night he meets Alex (played by Rachael Taylor) an ex-student that he has lost touch with over the years who has a fulfilling life as a Human Rights Lawyer in Yemen. In comparison Ben’s career and life seems insignificant and it is from this point in the movie we begin to see Ben’s internal struggle. Everyone tells Ben how GREAT his lifestyle is but he himself no longer sees the value in it. His lifestyle in his eyes is vacuous and pointless.

He tries to reconnect with Alex but Ben has this habit of not “following through” (a constant theme throughout this film that becomes a bit frustrating). We watch as Ben makes attempts to connect with Alex but she remembers him, how he was, and believes he won’t change. It takes some ‘mountain moving’ gestures on Ben’s behalf to try and change her mind.

The film in my mind began really well; the characters, script and actors were really great. I particularly enjoyed Felicity Ward’s character and there are many great laughs in this film aside from the issues it deals with. I felt however as we watch Ben we feel for him and want him to succeed in finding himself but about two thirds of the way through I just could not relate to him anymore. I felt frustrated by him and lost interest in the character completely (I felt this was a story issue and not the acting of Josh Lawson).

Overall the movie was (believe it or not from what I have said above) worth seeing. There are some great lines, beautiful scenes and cinematography of Melbourne. To be honest I feel you could wait for this one to appear in the DVD store for a night in on the couch with your friends.

Welcome to February!

From the desk of Leah Calnan, Director of Metro Property Management...

This month is a month of planning for the future and to start it all off we as a team are having a day focused on building each staff member’s skill set, chatting about ideas to build Metro as a trusted brand and ideas for the day to day running of the business as a whole. I am always inspired and driven by what ideas my team have and I always like to have a ‘get together’ to see what we as a team and as individuals can get out of 2012. We learn and grow as a company by putting forth our ideas in meetings like this so I’m really excited about the ideas that will spring forth, so keep your eyes peeled for little changes you might see here and there. Speaking of changes and additions, this month also brings a few exciting staff additions and role changes.

Tamasan Freyer joined us last month as our new receptionist and has a keen interest in the Property Management industry, she loves a challenge and is enjoying being the ‘first point of contact’ for Metro and we feel she is doing a great job so far. Emma Racky has also joined our team this past month as Assistant Property Manager and she is quickly learning the fast pace of the industry as well as enjoying learning the ins and outs that come with Property Management. Emma has a strong retail management background, her customer service skills will assist her in her communications with owners, tenants and tradespeople alike. Welcome aboard Tamasan & Emma! 

In other news our Senior Leasing Specialist, Samantha Taylor has recently been promoted to New Business Manager and is ‘taking the bull by both horns’. Already Samantha has taken to her new role well and I have every confidence that our new owners and investor groups will absolutely appreciate the level of service and experience in leasing that Samantha brings to the table. Well done Samantha. 

Well as always February brings with it Valentine’s Day, like it or loathe it it comes around every February and I myself was interested as to how it came about...so I consulted the wonderfully useful ‘Wikipedia’...

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is a holiday observed on February 14 honouring one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. It was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD, and was later deleted from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI.

Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. (Source: www.wikipedia.com )

Isn’t it funny how it has lasted and changed throughout the years.

 Well a Happy Saint Valentine’s and a Happy February to you all.

Until next time....