The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey World Premiere Red Carpet show

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey World Premiere - Live from the red carpet

It's finally here - the day of the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

READ THE HOBBIT AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY MOVIE REVIEW HERE!

 And we're bringing you the live footage from the red carpet today. Included in this will be a live performance by Neil Finn, who will sing "Song of the Lonely Mountain" from the official Hobbit soundtrack.

Key cast are expected on the carpet too - which all kicks off from 3.50pm NZT.

In attendance will be Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, the Company of Dwarves and Hobbit director Peter Jackson.

2) *Event timings:

3:50 pm NZDT – Show Opening  / Welcome

4:00 pm NZDT – Neil Finn Performance (*set includes a performance of “Song of the Lonely Mountain” from the official soundtrack)

4:30 pm NZDT – Talent arrivals, red carpet interviews & crowd interaction

6:30 pm NZDT - Official Speeches

7:00 pm NZDT – End of Show

 **PLEASE NOTE: These event timings are approximate.

But, because, sometimes it takes a little longer to write these blog posts, I will be posting via Twitter - and you can keep up with my tweets from everything to do with the Hobbit premiere below -

So, join the world premiere for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey right here!

Tweets by @geekboy73

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Photocall

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Photocall

READ THE HOBBIT AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY MOVIE REVIEW HERE!

 With the majority of the cast flying into Wellington today, here's a series of shots of the Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey cast for you to enjoy ahead of the World Premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on Wednesday, November 28th!

Cast includes the likes of Martin Freeman, Aiden Turner, Richard Armitage, Sylvester McCoy, Peter Jackson, Royd Tolkein,Elijah Wood and Andy Serkis in attendance:

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - World Premiere - 1 Day to Go

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - World Premiere - 1 Day to Go

With one day to go until the world premiere of The Hobbit:An Unexpected Journey, the remaining cast members have flown into the capital for the party.

READ THE HOBBIT AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY MOVIE REVIEW HERE!

Here's pictures from the photocall today with the likes of Martin Freeman, Aiden Turner, Richard Armitage, Sylvester McCoy, Peter Jackson,  Royd Tolkein,Elijah Wood and Andy Serkis in attendance:

More pictures from Wellington for The Hobbit premiere

More pictures from Wellington for The Hobbit premiere

READ THE HOBBIT AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY MOVIE REVIEW HERE!

Here's some more shots from around Wellington for the Hobbit world premiere which is now less than 45 hours away...

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - 2 days to go

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - 2 days to go

READ THE HOBBIT AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY MOVIE REVIEW HERE!

We're gearing up for a world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in Wellington.

I'll be live tweeting as much as I can from the event, the red carpet and various events - so follow me at http://www.twitter.com/geekboy73 or keep up with my latest tweets below!

(Make sure you keep refreshing the page to keep it all upto date!)

Arthur Christmas: Blu Ray Review

Arthur Christmas: Blu Ray Review

Rating: PG
Released by Sony Home Entertainment

Ah, Christmas.

A time of strained tensions, screaming kids and festive goodwill to all. That and Christmas-themed movies.

Add to that list, the latest from Aardman Animations, a computer generated tale about James McAvoy's Arthur Christmas, the second son of Father Christmas (Jim Broadbent). Arthur's job at the North Pole is to reply to the letters sent by the kids asking Santa for presents - whereas his older brother Steve (House's Hugh Laurie) is there to co-ordinate the elves as they deliver billions of presents in one night.

But this Christmas, something goes a little awry and one present's left undelivered. As far as Steve and Santa are concerned, it's no major but Arthur's unhappy that one kid, in Cornwall in the UK, will miss out on the magic of Christmas if they don't get their new bike.

So, along with the retired GrandSanta (Nighy), Arthur sets out to ensure this Christmas won't be ruined. But the adventure of a lifetime is a little more than the worrywart Arthur expected.
Arthur Christmas is a bright, joyous, festive treat which will keep the kids happy during the up-coming break. But there's also just enough to keep the adults amused too with a script that's smart in scattered places (one kid writes to Santa: "If you live in the North Pole, how come I can't see your house on Google maps?").

McAvoy brings a weediness to his Arthur which contrasts nicely with Laurie's efficient Steve and Broadbent's been in the job too long Santa. Nighy is amusing as GrandSanta and there's a nice running theme about different generations and expectations as well as a sarcastic vein pumping through.

But for every sentimental moment within Arthur Christmas, there's an equal moment of sheer lunacy which gives the film a slightly unpredictable feel which is very welcome amid the usual festive schmaltz. There's also a sign Aardman's taking on Pixar with a nod to one of its other characters contained subtly within as well - fans of animation will be delighted by that.

Arthur Christmas is to be enjoyed; with the magic of Christmas in its heart and a fair few ho ho hos, it's certainly something that will remind you of the joys of the holiday.

Extras: Behind the scenes music video, doco, recruitment video

Rating: 

Ted: Blu Ray Review

Ted: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Universal Home Entertainment

In this cinematic debut from Family Guy/ American Dad creator, Seth MacFarlane, Mark Wahlberg stars as John Bennett, who as a lonely little boy wished his Teddy (given to him by his parents at Christmas) would be his best friend forever and come to life.

Due to a Christmas miracle (and a falling star, of course) John's wish is granted and Ted springs to life, a fully sentient, walking talking teddy bear. Initially famous, Ted (MacFarlane) is the star of the world but years pass and it all changes.

John's now a thirty-five year old man, living in Boston who still rooms with his now pot smoking, hard drinking, sexed up teddy bear.  Except, John's not fully a) realised his potential or b) lost the plot. Stuck in a dead end job, he's been dating the beautiful Lori (Kunis) for four years.

But Lori's looking for the next level of commitment - and one evening, after the pair return home from an anniversary dinner, they discover Ted's gone too far and Lori decides he needs to move out.

So, Ted and John's friendship which has endured over centuries is facing the biggest test of all - will John finally grow up and ditch the Teddy forever, despite having promised to be BFFs?

This vulgar, R-rated comedy about a hedonistic bear and his unable to grow up owner from the creator of the consistently offensive Family Guy has been a massive hit in the States already - and it's easy to see why.

It's a boundary-pushing, potty-mouthed treat which you know you shouldn't laugh at because of its shock factor, but you just can't help yourself.

It's got MacFarlane's paw marks all over it; without a doubt, his trademark offensive, pop culture referencing , shock tactic humour is there right from the beginning. And by goodness, it's certainly unexpectedly and consistently funny throughout its running time despite the story of romance vs bromance which we've all seen before.

The key to the success of this is a wickedly funny script and some great performances from Wahlberg, as the Bostonian man-child who can't resist the call of his furry friend and Kunis, who makes her long suffering girlfriend feel real rather than a one note bitchy character who simply wants her boyfriend's best friend out of the equation. Put in some hilarious cameos, some self referencing moments and you've got the recipe for one of the most unexpected hits of the year.

That's the thing with Ted - in amongst the shock factor, cartoony feel and Family Guy style random digressions, there's actually a great deal of heart in this story, which is swathed in whimsy and 80s nostalgia 

Throw in a great performance from himself as the caustic, sarcastic and acerbic bear as well as some cool CGI as Ted the bear, and this film is one which will leave you in fits of laughter, frequent moments of appalled and with a warm and fuzzy - but slightly guilty - glow as you finish it.

Extras: Deleted and extended scenes, gag reel, the making of, feature commentary

Rating: