The World's End

Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Rosamund Pike

Directed by Edgar Wright

Rating: B

The comedic duo Pegg and Frost continue their community themed films in this pub-crawl, apocalyptic fest. 

As in "Shaun of the Dead", "Hot Fuzz" and now "The World's End", the main characters end up in a village where it's "them" against the community. Be it elderly people, or as the villains are called in the newest movie "the network", the recurring theme is a utopian community. The town has finally rid the wrongdoers and almost everyone is peaceful. The wrong are put right and there are no worries, until Pegg and Frost come along.

"The World's End" is another buddy movie with Gary King (Pegg) and Andy Knightley (Frost) who start the film at odd ends but by the end have patched up their best friendship. Gary is facing his mid-life crisis in rehab when he realizes his life never got better after one legendary night. His solution? Call up the gang to finish the golden mile pub crawl in their hometown. It takes some convincing for his grown up friends with wives and successful jobs to join him when they all hold grudges against Gary.

After the first of twelve pubs, the gang runs into mayhem in the bathroom when they discover the townspeople aren't human. They bleed blue ink when Gary pops the head off of a robot (which they insist they are not). Using Gary's own logic, it would only make sense for the group to march on to the last pub, The World's End. They just have to make it to the end without tipping off the townspeople they know their secret.

The movie sticks to the same humor as in "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz", so past fans shouldn't be disappointed in the latest product of Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg. Lines are sprinkled with pop culture references like Legoland, and Starbucks. The film also makes a statement on franchising and updating the old with the new. Their old town has modern art, the pubs look more like family restaurants, and crime has gone down.

Overall, "The World's End" does not disappoint and for those looking for a good British comedy, this is the one to spend a movie ticket on.

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Simon Woods, Rosamund Pike

Directed by Joe Wright

Rating: 4 stars

When the news comes that a rich bachelor has moved into Netherfeld Park, the Bennet women are excited. None so more than the mother who hopes that the bachelor will take onto one of her girls. A dance is held and they get to meet Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods) and his rich friend (who happens to be a bachelor as well) Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen). Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) finds Mr. Darcy attractive but is soon turned off by his arrogance for the lower class. Elizabeth's older sister Jane (Rosamund Pike) and Mr. Bingley  have a mutual attraction but Mr. Darcy has suspicions that Jane is interested in his friend for all the wrong reasons. As the movie progresses, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth can't help but fall in love with each other.

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is a wonderful classic love story. Elizabeth Bennet has standards, something girls these days don't. She wants a meaningful relationship with someone who matches her intellectual level. Mr. Darcy is the best match, though it takes a while for both of them to open their eyes and realize it. This movie deserves four stars because director Joe Wright only focuses on the love story and not the story as a whole. Don't get me wrong, the scenery, music, costumes, etc., were all amazing. Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen play a good version of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. What would have made this movie better is if the director had cut certain scenes to replace them with more fitting ones. For example, watching Elizabeth sit on a swing and spin in circles for about a minute. However, with the amount of the time the director allowed the film to be, it turned out to be a good job.

Yes, this movie version is considered more of a "chick flick" but guys should read the book too. I wouldn't recommend this movie for those only interested in movies with action, gossip or even hot kissing scenes because you won't get that here. Well, you will get action (Lydia running off with Wickham) and you might even get some gossip ("Netherfeld Park has let again!"). But this romantic movie is perfect to watch when you're looking for a quiet night in.