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 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 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 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 Merryn Schmidt has reviewed 'The Cup'. Director – Simon Wincer, Starring - Stephen Curry, Brendan Gleeson, Shaun Micallef & Daniel MacPherson.

'The Cup' is based on the true story of champion jockey Damien Oliver and his inspirational ride to win the 2002 Melbourne Cup. Damien (Stephen Curry) crosses the finish line onboard horse 'Media Puzzle', and salutes the heavens as a gesture to his older bother, Jason, who died tragically less then a week prior, in a track accident.

Unfortunately, ‘The Cup’ is not going to stop the nation as the actual race does, but it is certainly an entertaining and enjoyable flick. As the film is set in Melbourne, I appreciated the familiarity of locations such as the Yarra River and Flemington Race Course and the infusion of original photographs and film footage of the Melbourne Cup history over decades.

'The Cup' is a little slow ‘out of the gates’ and moves slowly to give an insight to the danger, the early starts, the half starving themselves, and the dedication jockeys, trainers, strappers and the like give to their careers, all so we can be enchanted by these majestic animals as the thunder down the track for our entertainment.

Released with perfect timing, during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, ‘The Cup’ may attract good odds, but I have to say it is not a must see on the big screen. When you do see this film be warned you will require a tissue or two.

- by Merryn Schmidt

Spring is Nearly Upon Us!

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

Before & After Pics of Reception Area

Wow so it is August and isn’t it a little warmer? And with the sun setting a little later in the day it feels like Spring is just around the corner. Spring cleaning is already happening at our office, to be exact a freshening up/renovation of our reception is starting to come together. Gone is the pink and purple carpet and we are loving our beautiful new tiles and the repositioning of the reception desk means more room for our new client couch and chairs which we will have very shortly. We have had some lovely comments so far and we will continue with carpet replacement throughout the office in the coming months.

In other news at Metro as mentioned last month myself and Samantha Taylor of our office will be attending the ARPM Conference in Sydney this month. Speakers include professionals like Fiona Blayney, Director of her own real estate business development and recruitment firms and highly sought after speaker who’s energy and passion never cease to amaze me, Paul Tonich who will speak on Social Media and it’s impact, Jonathon Handford - Managing Director of Newman Estate Agents who will speak on the UK’s approach on property management and then there’s James Castrission & Justin Jones who became famous for crossing the Tasman Sea in a kayak who will speak on their challenges and how to overcome adversity. These are just a few of the speakers and their topics so as you can see it will be a real mix of ideas which is really very exciting and we hope to get a lot out of our time there.

A couple of months ago now I gave an interview for which myself and the team were filmed for Business Victoria they approached me as they had discovered that our team had embarked on some tailored Customer Service based training last year and were interested in our team culture for a short video for their website (known as a Vodcast). My assistant Melissa and I attended the launch of this Vodcast and it was great to see and meet the other businesses that were involved in other Vodcasts being launched. There were so many different ideas and great advice given that other small to medium businesses can access via these Vodcasts that will be put online shortly, we will of course keep you posted of the link once they are up. Some of my team were quite shocked to learn they could soon be ‘stars’ as around 800 people per month had viewed the previous series of Vodcasts on the www.business.vic.gov.au website.

And finally a big thank you to all that came along to our recent Self Managed Super Fund Seminar and for all of your fabulous feedback. I was so thrilled that so many of you attended and got so much out of listening to Nicholas Don from Metro Wealth and his colleague Paul Kusli on the night. I wish you all the best in continuing to grow your wealth and am happy to have introduced you all to some new ideas. Again, we will keep you posted on our next Seminar evening in the near future.

Until next time...(enjoy the warmth, albeit temporary)