Win Tickets to Pitch Perfect

Pitch Perfect is coming to the big screen from the 29th of September, so Universal Pictures and Big Screen NZ are giving you the chance to WIN one of five double passes to the film.

All you need to do is answer this simple question… 

What is your favourite song to sing at karaoke? (Please put “Pitch” in the subject line)

Email your answer with your name and contact details to  win@bigscreennz.com

Competition closes 11:59pm Monday 10th of October 2012, (you must be a resident of New Zealand, and judges decision in final.)

The Premise>> Beca (Anna Kendrick) is that girl who’d rather listen to what’s coming out of her headphones than what’s coming out of you. Arriving at her new college, she finds herself not right for any clique but somehow is muscled into one that she never would have picked on her own: alongside mean girls, sweet girls and weird girls whose only thing in common is how good they sound when they sing together, in the new out-loud comedy Pitch Perfect. When Beca takes this acoustic singing group out of their world of traditional arrangements and perfect harmonies into all-new mash-ups, they fight to climb their way to the top of the cut-throat world of college a cappella. This could wind up either the coolest thing they’ll ever do or the most insane, and it will probably be a little of both. 

Click here to read Sean’s review

In Cinemas 29th September 2012

M – Contains offensive language & sexual references

The Sapphires Movie Review

Releases: 4^thOctober 2012

Rating: PG – Contains Violence, coarse language & sexual reference

Duration: 133 minutes 

Genre:  Comedy

Starring: Chris O’Dowd, Deborah Mailman and Jessica Mauboy

Director: Wayne Blair (Various TV)

Reviewer: Holly Wiseman 

The Premise>> 1968 was the year that changed the world. And for four young Aboriginal sisters from a remote mission this is the year that would change their lives forever. Around the globe, there was protest and revolution in the streets. Indigenous Australians finally secured the right to vote. There were drugs and the shock of a brutal assassination. And there was Vietnam. The sisters, Cynthia, Gail, Julie and Kay are discovered by Dave, a talent scout with a kind heart, very little rhythm but a great knowledge of soul music. Billed as Australia’s answer to ‘The Supremes’, Dave secures the sisters their first true gig, and fly’s them to Vietnam to sing for the American troops. Based on a true story, THE SAPPHIRES is a triumphant celebration of youthful emotion, family and music.

The Review>> Watching the trailer for The Sapphires I wasn’t holding out to see the movie but now it’s one of my favourite films I’ve watched all year.

I think I did the female thing where your mind sees that it’s about war and writes it off a little.  This is far from a war movie it involves romance, comedy and had me in suspense, laughing and crying. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster.

The movie handles the racial issues of the time so well and I think in a way reminds you to have empathy for others and value what you have.

Yes the sisters voices were amazing (highlight seeing Jessica Mauboy in there) however Dave the girl’s manager made the movie.  His ability to have you in hysterics in the middle of a war zone is truly magic.

The Verdict>> Don’t judge a film by its trailer.  Give this one a go, you’re sure to enjoy it.

Some extra bits to know about the film and to look out for>> At the Tupperware party set in 1968, someone is seen holding a Tupperware product from the 1980s, the Harvest Gold Microwave Steamer.

The movie is set in 1968, but The Sapphires sing The Staple Sisters “I’ll Take You There” (released in 1972) and Merle Haggard’s “Today I Started Loving You Again” (released in 1970). It also features “Run Through the Jungle” (released in 1970) in

The opening scene shows a girl running through a field of canola in 1958. The first canola in Australia was planted in 1968, but was not grown commercially until the 1990s.

The Sapphires are shown performing for the 19th Infantry Division. However, the 19th Infantry Division was deactivated in 1944 and never served in Vietnam.

The Real Sapphires

Pitch Perfect Movie Review

Releases: 29th October 2012

Rating: M – Contains offensive language & sexual references

Duration: 112 minutes 

Genre:  Comedy

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow and Rebel Wilson

Director: Jason Moore (Brothers and Sisters, Dawsons Creek)

Reviewer: Sean O’Flaherty 

The Premise>> Beca (Anna Kendrick) is that girl who’d rather listen to what’s coming out of her headphones than what’s coming out of you. Arriving at her new college, she finds herself not right for any clique but somehow is muscled into one that she never would have picked on her own: alongside mean girls, sweet girls and weird girls whose only thing in common is how good they sound when they sing together, in the new out-loud comedy Pitch Perfect.  When Beca takes this acoustic singing group out of their world of traditional arrangements and perfect harmonies into all-new mash-ups, they fight to climb their way to the top of the cut-throat world of college a cappella. This could wind up either the coolest thing they’ll ever do or the most insane, and it will probably be a little of both.

The Review>> This movie is a surprise must see!  I was seriously skeptical about this movie and thought chick flick here we come and although it is essentially a love story with a bit of youth “finding” themselves it is brilliant and one I would happily recommend to my mates. The crowd was full of young females and they all appeared to lap it up too. 

Glee on steroids was my preconception but this is definitely not Glee. The soundtrack is great and the movie is a laugh a minute, gut buster. The characters are genius and Anna Kendrick brings believability to the central character that brings it all together.  Although the plot is not terribly complicated the story is well told and I think Jason Moore made some good choices staying away from the obvious relationship / love clichés.

 

The highlight for me was the vomit angel similar to a snow angel but different! I hope I haven’t spoilt it for you.

The Verdict>> If you love music and a good belly laugh this one is for you. I would strongly recommend the lads use this one on date night.

Some extra bits to know about the film and to look out for>> One of the movie’s lines refers to being “pitch slapped.” Kelley Jakle competed on The Sing-Off with the Backbeats, and one of their opponents was Pitch Slapped.