"This is the Story of Life and What Came After it."

The Lovely Bones.

Released: 24th of February

Certificate: 12A

Director: Peter Jackson

Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci

Running Time: 124mins

Based on the bestselling book of the same name by Alice Sebold, "The Lovely Bones" centres on 14 year old Susie Salmon (Ronan) who is stuck in the "in-between". Having been brutally murdered by her estranged neighbour (Tucci), Salmon watches over her family as her father (Wahlberg) becomes obsessed with finding her killer and her mother (Weisz) leaves under pressure. As her killer carries on his life as normal, Salmon must choose between her desire for vengeance, and her desire for her family to heal.

Directed by the man who brought us "Lord of the Rings", Peter Jackson effectively brings to life a 14 year old's interpretation of Heaven. Although Jackson has been criticised for these interpretations, the essence of Sebold's work is very visible. A heartbreaking tale; there won't be a dry eye in the cinema.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikUWKi0W5_g

"We gotta get off this Island, Chuck."

Thanks to a dull Irish winter and the fact that I am of course a strapped-for-cash-student, I currently find myself at the cinema on a regular basis. It's warm, dry and I can sit in a comfy seat for two hours without being asked to leave. Also, if I go on a Tuesday evening, my student card gets me a ticket for €4.50. Sweet. And since the year's winter was utterly endless (snow in April ?), my purse is exploding with used cinema tickets. I think it's fair to say that if anyone can give you the low-down and what to see, it's me.

Shutter Island.

Released: 19th February, 2010

Certificate: 15A

Director: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Sir Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Jackie Earle Haley

Running Time:138mins.

Shutter Island is the latest movie from director Martin Scorsese, and his fourth movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Mysterious and dark, Shutter Island's thick plot delves into the mind of the viewer for answers.

US Marshall, Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) is assigned to the prison for the criminally insane on Shutter Island, alongside Chuck (Ruffalo). They are to investigate the disappearance of patient Rachel Salando, who had previously killed her children. The two are stranded on the Island, and as Daniels suffers flashbacks of the tragic death of his wife, both question their own sanity.

At the end end, you'll either be kicking yourself for not catching on earlier, or smitten with yourself for seeing it coming. Either way, Shutter Island is highly entertaining and another stunning performance from both Scorsese and DiCaprio. So good I saw it twice.

Check it out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYVrHkYoY80