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
Maggie’s Plan
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Maggie (Greta Gerwig) plans to have a baby on her own through artificial insemination, but switches tracks when she falls for a handsome teacher, John (Ethan Hawke), who is already married with kids to a shrewd academic, Georgette (Julianne Moore).
WHAT DID WE THINK?
Dominic Barlow says: Writer-director Rebecca Miller (The Private Lives of Pippa Lee) returns after seven years with this deeply enjoyable screwball romance set in New York City. Gerwig is on fine form as ever, but the entire cast – also including Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, and Travis Fimmel – turns in amazing and funny performances. Filmed with gorgeous winter scenery and costuming, it’s a warm and affecting story about our obligations to the ones we love.
The Legend of Tarzan
What’s it about?
Ten years after leaving the jungle, Tarzan and Jane must return to save Africa from Christoph Waltz, who wants diamonds, or slaves, or colonialism, or something.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Just awful. Alexander Skarsgård’s Tarzan is entirely without charm and personality. Margot Robbie makes desperate attempts to compensate by being as sassy and vivacious as she possibly can, which is even worse. She ain’t your grandma’s Jane! Am I right, ladies? Christoph Waltz tries vaguely as a pantomime villain in white linen, and is the best thing in it with the exception of a CGI baby elephant. Oh, and Samuel L Jackson is Tarzan’s wisecracking cowboy sidekick who fires a machine gun and jokes about licking testicles. At least the animals don’t talk.
The BFG
What’s it about?
Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is whisked away to Giant Country when she accidently spots a giant (Mark Rylance) going about his business in the middle of the night. She and her new friend the BFG must come up with a plan to stop his friends from kidnapping and eating children in England.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: If you ever read this Roald Dahl book as a child, this movie will be a giant (geddit?), nostalgic punch right in the feels. The BFG himself is brought to glorious life through the ever-expressive face of Rylance and the deft touches of a very talented animation team. The dream worlds fizz with life and imaginative design that leaps off the page.
Adapting a rather short story into a full length movie has it’s pitfalls though, and the pace does seem to lag in the middle, as smaller ideas from the novel feel fleshed out for time.
Though some of Dahl’s darker ideas are glossed over (as they always seem to be in movie form), and the Sophie seems a bit more precocious than I remember her, The BFG (both movie and character) is still rather charming.
Ice Age: Collision Course
What’s it about?
Scrat’s epic pursuit of his elusive acorn catapults him outside of Earth, where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the planet. To save themselves from peril, Manny, Sid, Diego, and the rest of the herd leave their home and embark on a quest full of thrills and spills.
What did we think?
We’re now five Ice Age instalments in and we’re sadly reaching the point where adults are praying for the exinction of the prehistorics. What was once, at its heart, a sweet family story is now a frenetic ADD children’s film with character numbers and guest stars put ahead of what little plot there is. The sheer number of animals – new and old – makes it difficult to keep track of but at least distracts you from the idea that a woolly mammoth can save the world from an asteroid collision.
High-quality animation helps and there’s more than enough there for the kids and during school holidays that’s all you need. I’d suggest getting your partner to take them though.
Editor's Choice
Maggie’s Plan
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Maggie (Greta Gerwig) plans to have a baby on her own through artificial insemination, but switches tracks when she falls for a handsome teacher, John (Ethan Hawke), who is already married with kids to a shrewd academic, Georgette (Julianne Moore).
WHAT DID WE THINK?
Dominic Barlow says: Writer-director Rebecca Miller (The Private Lives of Pippa Lee) returns after seven years with this deeply enjoyable screwball romance set in New York City. Gerwig is on fine form as ever, but the entire cast – also including Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, and Travis Fimmel – turns in amazing and funny performances. Filmed with gorgeous winter scenery and costuming, it’s a warm and affecting story about our obligations to the ones we love.
The Legend of Tarzan
What’s it about?
Ten years after leaving the jungle, Tarzan and Jane must return to save Africa from Christoph Waltz, who wants diamonds, or slaves, or colonialism, or something.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Just awful. Alexander Skarsgård’s Tarzan is entirely without charm and personality. Margot Robbie makes desperate attempts to compensate by being as sassy and vivacious as she possibly can, which is even worse. She ain’t your grandma’s Jane! Am I right, ladies? Christoph Waltz tries vaguely as a pantomime villain in white linen, and is the best thing in it with the exception of a CGI baby elephant. Oh, and Samuel L Jackson is Tarzan’s wisecracking cowboy sidekick who fires a machine gun and jokes about licking testicles. At least the animals don’t talk.
The BFG
What’s it about?
Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is whisked away to Giant Country when she accidently spots a giant (Mark Rylance) going about his business in the middle of the night. She and her new friend the BFG must come up with a plan to stop his friends from kidnapping and eating children in England.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: If you ever read this Roald Dahl book as a child, this movie will be a giant (geddit?), nostalgic punch right in the feels. The BFG himself is brought to glorious life through the ever-expressive face of Rylance and the deft touches of a very talented animation team. The dream worlds fizz with life and imaginative design that leaps off the page.
Adapting a rather short story into a full length movie has it’s pitfalls though, and the pace does seem to lag in the middle, as smaller ideas from the novel feel fleshed out for time.
Though some of Dahl’s darker ideas are glossed over (as they always seem to be in movie form), and the Sophie seems a bit more precocious than I remember her, The BFG (both movie and character) is still rather charming.
Ice Age: Collision Course
What’s it about?
Scrat’s epic pursuit of his elusive acorn catapults him outside of Earth, where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the planet. To save themselves from peril, Manny, Sid, Diego, and the rest of the herd leave their home and embark on a quest full of thrills and spills.
What did we think?
We’re now five Ice Age instalments in and we’re sadly reaching the point where adults are praying for the exinction of the prehistorics. What was once, at its heart, a sweet family story is now a frenetic ADD children’s film with character numbers and guest stars put ahead of what little plot there is. The sheer number of animals – new and old – makes it difficult to keep track of but at least distracts you from the idea that a woolly mammoth can save the world from an asteroid collision.
High-quality animation helps and there’s more than enough there for the kids and during school holidays that’s all you need. I’d suggest getting your partner to take them though.