How to Stop Being a Loser

I actually got bought this film as a joke! (my flatmate thinking he was funny - think about the title) so I went into it without knowing a thing. I thought it was MAD funny and I actually found myself caring about the lead, James, in his plight to win over the girl of his dreams. (maybe I am a loser after all!) By far my favourite character was the physiatrist who pops up throughout which leads to a BRILLIANT twist at the end I genuinely didn't see coming. The funniest scene is one I can't really describe on here, but look out for a drunken sexual encounter that left me giggling so hard I had to rewind the DVD! Great fun, highly recommended.

9/10

I have an idea how difficult it is to make an independent film but at the same time you always have to remember that the general people who go to the cinema don't care, all they're interested in is being entertained. After all they pay the same for a movie ticket to a tiny Brit film as they do for a ticket to Transformers! So when I went into an insider screening of HTSBAL at Showcase I tried very hard to see through they eyes of someone who doesn't know the work that goes into these projects. I'm not sure if I managed that but what I am certain of is that I thought this film was quite brilliant, hilarious as it is heartfelt, the humour balancing perfectly with the character development and the story exposition. The performances were all round strong with no exception and the chemistry between our principals Phillips, Conway, Atkinson and Leonidas was great, I know three of them have worked together again and this comes as no surprise to me. Plus the outtakes at the end had me rolling, I love it when films do outtakes. I think I may actually have to check it out one more time.

Finally thought i'd give this a watch last night, despite the critics terrible reviews of his movie, and oh dear oh dear oh dear... How right they were. Simon's character James was far too 'done to death' with 'cameos' being very few and far between of Actors i'd actually heard of! The girl who played Patch in the movie (Stephanie Leondis) was quite sweet to watch, her chemistry with James on screen was believable, but that of her bumbling friends were most certainly not. Hannah (Gemma Atkinson from Hollyoaks 'fame') was uncharismatic, wooden and dull as James's lifelong crush, along with Simon himself sometimes falling into the same lower league. I felt throughout casting could have gone to an array of more talented, realistic actors out there, although Ampersands character had his moments of greatness. All that said the end has a very funny twist with a psychiatrist, which did make me laugh. One movie though, I'd never watch again or recommend, and want that 90 mins of my life back! 3/10

So Loser vs Twilight! So the film makers are nothing if not brave. I'm guessing the general audience who go and see romantic comedies are teenage girls, no? So why release against Twilight whose main audience is... Teenage girls, right? It's a shame because I loved this film, I thought it was so sweet and yes it had some laugh out loud moments but the love story was great and as embarrassing as it is to admit, I didn't see the end coming. I believed it was going in the direction they were taking me, that's all I'll say without risking spoilers. Martin Kemp was brilliant as the love God, he's a movie star and I'd love to see him in more movies, although his IMDb says he's now directing. A shame, too beautiful not to be on screen more. My favourite part was the outtakes at the end and that's not a back handed compliment, I really enjoyed the film but the outtakes were a riot!

Just for once, every so often, it's nice to walk away from razzle dazzle high-tech wizardry and enjoy a straightforward, hugely entertaining film that can stand up on its own merits, without a gargantuan budget, and without several studios working day and night on CG or other effects. If, like me, you find British comedies films normally fit neatly into one of two camps..very good or genuinely terrible, you'll be pleasantly surprised by this little gem. The acting is superb throughout, the storyline is plausible, and the movie rolls along at a steady pace without seeming bloated or skimping on details. The comedy is very much in the detail here, not always in the spoken word or action - which is refreshing to see, and typically British. I'd imagine that this film would appeal to those of us that feel slightly disenchanted with increasingly formulaic Hollywood churn-outs, and those that like a feel-good flick, but can't seem to find one under the groaning mountain of horror films. I realize its 'uncool' to admit to enjoying films of this nature these days. I fully understand that I'd earn far more cool-points by enthusing over the latest cheap zero-storyline hack-and-slash part 8 movie, but I've seen enough of these to honestly say I never want to see another ever again. These days, when life seems increasingly short of laughs, and even escapism isn't catered for, films like this are a welcome relief and a breath of fresh air. Avoid those who'll over-analyse, over-criticize, and otherwise dissect this slice of romantic comedy, and just buy/ rent it. I think you'll be glad you did!