A Million Ways To Die In The West
I normally HATE anachronistic moments in movies but perhaps I can suspend that rule for this comedy. Because it looks bloody funny. I’m already laughing.
The Other Woman
What’s it about?
Three women become friends* when they find out their boyfriend/ husband/ partner is a cheater. Then they evoke the eye for an eye** principle to get revenge.
*become linked by hatred
** grievous bodily harm for an eye
What did we think?
Elizabeth says: Even the usually riotous comic timing of Leslie Mann can’t save this mess of a movie, who’s motto seems to be “when life give you lemons, get an army and take an icepick to the bastard who gave you the lemons”. Some jokes fall flat through implausibility, some just because enlarged male nipples and extended poo jokes aren’t really funny. The “revenge” that’s meant to be empowering just comes off as petty and mean spirited. Ladies, if your man cheats on you, by all means take everything in the divorce, but don’t laugh uproariously when he is badly injured after walking through a plate glass window. You’re better than that. You’re better than this movie.
Transcendence
What’s it about?
If you could save the love of your life, who happens to be one of the greatest minds in history, do you? Should you?
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: A visually sumptuous film with huge philosophical questions tied up in the not-so-impossible science-fiction theme of digitising a human brain. There are some obvious plot holes, but as a “what if” to spark conversation about the future of humanity it is an equal to Blade Runner (from the opening shot the “tears in the rain” quote ran through my head regularly).
Unlike The Lawnmower Man, which this has been unfairly compared to, the deep love between the two lead characters is the crux of this story – driving it towards its devastating conclusion.
Amazing Spider-Man 2
What’s it about?
Spider-Man. Webs. Special Effects. Fighting. Villians. Part 2 (of the reboot).
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: This sequel is an odd movie in that for every pro there’s a con.
It features a very average plot and awkward dialogue (seriously, think George Lucas Phantom Menace level of poor dialogue) but it is punctuated with some incredible action sequences. One framed shot in particular had me exclaiming out loud.
This time around Garfield gives us an angsty and partly stupid Peter Parker which once again grated, but Emma Stone and Sally Field excelled despite the quality of the script.
The decision to add new aspects to the origin story felt completely unnecessary and, if anything, reduced the impact of the iconic Uncle Ben (not to mention stretching the very limits of credibility). And these additions tended to add to the odd pacing without benefiting the plot in an way at all.
It’s better than the first one (though that’s not necessarily saying much) but I can at least say I had some fun this time around. Not enough to see it a second time mind you but it gets a pass mark.
Muppets Most Wanted
What’s it about?
The Muppets world tour is interrupted when a master criminal – who looks just like Kermit – swaps places with the world’s favourite frog.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: It’s time to play the music again and while this follow-up is still a lot of fun it has to be said it lacks the heart of the previous Muppet movie. The plot is relatively weak but the impressive array of cameos compensates somewhat. At a touch under two hours it’s a tad long for the very young but it’s energetic, entertaining and has jokes for all ages so it’s hard to be too critical. After all, there are some things that warm your heart by merely appearing on the screen.
Divergent
What’s it about?
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans are divided into factions based on their personality, we follow a young girl who shows signs of having all five qualities in equal abundance.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Written by a youth for youths, the original storyline – while intriguing – is excessively black and white. As such the movie is a little clumsy and heavy handed in places. However having said that it is actually quite enjoyable and good escapism. Gritty enough to keep you interested and entertained. I took a friend who hadn’t read the book and she really enjoyed it. It has action, adventure and romance so she came out of the preview buzzing. Fun but it won’t exactly stick in the memory. Well, not until the sequel next year.
What’s Popular
Warcraft
What’s it about?
The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilisation faces a fearsome race of invaders: orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonise another. If that sentence alone doesn’t excite you then stop reading here and run far away: this movie won’t be for you.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: With the vision of Lord Of The Rings but the delivery of Dungeons and Dragons the cartoon series, Warcraft doesn’t manage to hit the mainstream target. Perhaps the 5 million or so subscribers to the game will get more out of it than I, but this fantasy film – a genre I DO enjoy – feels more wearisome than exciting.
Impressive effects can’t hide the weak script that feels like it’s written by the computer game writers themselves: lots of ambiguity and open threads that don’t really get answered. Just like the open-ended game. Only for die-hards of the game.
Finding Dory
What’s it about?
The friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish from Finding Nemo remembers her family and sets out to find them.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Sequels are usually a tough thing, but Finding Dory is more of a logical procession from the first film which only strengthens the story. But be warned – Finding Dory is significantly more emotional than its predecessor and don’t be surprised if a tear or two leaks out. Kids will marvel at the colours and animals while adults will feel for the absent-minded Dory. Great voice acting, heartwarming story, wonderful new characters complementing the familiar ones all wrapped together with Pixar’s usual top-notch animation. You can’t ask for more really.
Me Before You
What’s it about?
Quirky, “chatty” Lou (Emilia Clarke) is hired as a carer for a cynical, wealthy young man who feels he lost everything when he was paralysed in an accident
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: If you get a bit weepy in sad films (like me *sniff sniff*) then get ready for the deluge. If you don’t, then you’re probably not going even get as far as handing over your cash at the box office for this heartfelt sobfest… Unless you’re forced to on a date, in which case get ready for your date to look all red and splotchy when the credits roll.
Clarke is so infectiously chipper here, she’s almost like a (slightly overacting) British Jessica Day (New Girl), while Clafin smoulders as a wheelchair bound Mr Darcy type. Ultimately it’s a solid romantic drama that will punch those so inclined right in the feels, and leave everyone else wishing all the emotional stuff was over so they can get back to the latest superhero flick.
Mr Right
What’s it about?
A girl coming out of a breakup falls for the “perfect” guy, who happens to have a very fatal flaw: he’s a hitman. Well, former hitman who still kills people. And who is on the run from the mob. It’s complicated.
What did we think?
A delightfully quirky film that has most of the makings of a great cult movie, Mr Right just doesn’t quite get there. Anna Kendrick and Sam Rockwell’s chemistry is palpable and has you entranced whenever they share the screen. Unfortunately the over-the-top performances from the rest of the cast not only steal a lot of the impact of our lovers’ quirkiness they detract from the overall feel. More realistic bad guys and this is the best ever action-rom-com of all time. As it is it’s still a pleasure and worthy of re-watching. The premise behind Rockwell’s amazing abilities and Kendrick’s cuteness alone has me looking forward to a second go already.
Editor's Choice
Warcraft
What’s it about?
The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilisation faces a fearsome race of invaders: orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonise another. If that sentence alone doesn’t excite you then stop reading here and run far away: this movie won’t be for you.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: With the vision of Lord Of The Rings but the delivery of Dungeons and Dragons the cartoon series, Warcraft doesn’t manage to hit the mainstream target. Perhaps the 5 million or so subscribers to the game will get more out of it than I, but this fantasy film – a genre I DO enjoy – feels more wearisome than exciting.
Impressive effects can’t hide the weak script that feels like it’s written by the computer game writers themselves: lots of ambiguity and open threads that don’t really get answered. Just like the open-ended game. Only for die-hards of the game.
Finding Dory
What’s it about?
The friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish from Finding Nemo remembers her family and sets out to find them.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Sequels are usually a tough thing, but Finding Dory is more of a logical procession from the first film which only strengthens the story. But be warned – Finding Dory is significantly more emotional than its predecessor and don’t be surprised if a tear or two leaks out. Kids will marvel at the colours and animals while adults will feel for the absent-minded Dory. Great voice acting, heartwarming story, wonderful new characters complementing the familiar ones all wrapped together with Pixar’s usual top-notch animation. You can’t ask for more really.
Me Before You
What’s it about?
Quirky, “chatty” Lou (Emilia Clarke) is hired as a carer for a cynical, wealthy young man who feels he lost everything when he was paralysed in an accident
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: If you get a bit weepy in sad films (like me *sniff sniff*) then get ready for the deluge. If you don’t, then you’re probably not going even get as far as handing over your cash at the box office for this heartfelt sobfest… Unless you’re forced to on a date, in which case get ready for your date to look all red and splotchy when the credits roll.
Clarke is so infectiously chipper here, she’s almost like a (slightly overacting) British Jessica Day (New Girl), while Clafin smoulders as a wheelchair bound Mr Darcy type. Ultimately it’s a solid romantic drama that will punch those so inclined right in the feels, and leave everyone else wishing all the emotional stuff was over so they can get back to the latest superhero flick.
Mr Right
What’s it about?
A girl coming out of a breakup falls for the “perfect” guy, who happens to have a very fatal flaw: he’s a hitman. Well, former hitman who still kills people. And who is on the run from the mob. It’s complicated.
What did we think?
A delightfully quirky film that has most of the makings of a great cult movie, Mr Right just doesn’t quite get there. Anna Kendrick and Sam Rockwell’s chemistry is palpable and has you entranced whenever they share the screen. Unfortunately the over-the-top performances from the rest of the cast not only steal a lot of the impact of our lovers’ quirkiness they detract from the overall feel. More realistic bad guys and this is the best ever action-rom-com of all time. As it is it’s still a pleasure and worthy of re-watching. The premise behind Rockwell’s amazing abilities and Kendrick’s cuteness alone has me looking forward to a second go already.