Honeymoon
I do love me a good scary movie. Creepy scary is even better.
Fifty Shades Of Grey
I’m underwhelmed to be honest. But don’t even start me on the book…
Predestination
Oooh. This looks interesting though I’m concerned they’ve given away too much in the trailer.
Premature
Have you ever wondered what Groundhog Day would look like as a B Grade High School US comedy?
Then wonder no more!
(I have to admit I actually will see this – time travel/repeating days are on my Must See Movie List)
Hercules
What’s it about?
After his legendary labours, Hercules and his band of friends work as mercenaries to save enough gold to forget the past. Along the way they train a bunch of greeks who wear red and yellow Iron Man armour.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Despite a lacklustre and seemingly cliched trailer, Hercules is actually a surprisingly fun action romp. It doesn’t reach any real heights but what is there will keep you entertained. Ratner’s decision to start the movie AFTER the mythological labours really works especially considering the rather intelligent sub-plot of spin doctoring. The fight scenes are well done and Dwayne Johnson does well after a slow warm-up but what really makes the movie is the strength of the supporting cast with Rufus Sewell, John Hurt and Rebecka Ferguson impressing. Not excellent but a whole lot of quality small parts combine to make a fun movie.
Sex Tape
What’s it about?
A couple make a sex tape and it accidentally gets uploaded to a bunch of synched ipads. They frantically chase the ipads.
What did we think?
Anthoney Sherratt: A sex tape is often a source of entertainment, cringe worthiness and titillation. This one certainly has all three but not in any large quantities.
There are certainly laughs here – though possibly not enough to sustain 94 minutes – but there was an odd chemistry between Jason Segel and Cameron Diaz that didn’t quite mesh. It’s a B Grade comedy about sex feels long. Some interesting commentary on sex inside marriage but nothing overly original outside of some blatant iPad promotion. Not bad but, like most sex tapes, perhaps wait for the DVD or download editions.
What’s Popular
Collateral Beauty
What’s it about?
An advertising executive (Will Smith) totally shuts down when tragedy strikes. His “concerned” friends (Kate Winslet, Edward Norton, Michael Pena) try to help when he starts questioning the universe and writing letters to the concept of Time, Death and Love.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: The intriguing trailer for this film is a lie. The concept, so artfully set up in the preview, is destroyed minutes into the film, creating a jarring effect that leaves a bitter, mean-spirited aftertaste. Collateral Beauty is emotionally manipulative, and seems to be created specifically to tug so fucking hard on heartstrings that it makes some kind of discordant non-musical cacophony of awfulness. It’s a movie purely about emotions that feels like it was made by someone who doesn’t understand how to human AT ALL. It gets two stars for what I thought the concept was, and the rest of the three taken off for what the actual movie robbed me of.
Assassin’s Creed
What’s it about?
A condemned man is rescued to take part in an experiment that allows him to connect to his ancestor’s memories using science… What? Really? How on Earth does that even…? Okay, Fine. That’s the story.
What we thought
Dan Beeston says:
I’m not sure if it was a problem with the mix but the film was SO LOUD that I felt flattened. The images flash by like they’re trying to cure Malcolm McDowell of his violent tendencies. No character seems sympathetic or even interesting. The story makes no sense. This film made me feel like a grandfather trying to program a VCR at a rave concert. The experience was a physical torture and I had to walk out after an hour.
Fuck this film
Red Dog: True Blue
What’s it about?
We learn about the early days of iconic outback canine Red Dog, and follow his adventures with his first ever BFF in this Aussie prequel.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: If you’re a softie, a dog lover, or you just don’t have a heart of stone, you probably loved the original Red Dog film. That loyal streak of red fluff who stole an outback town’s heart and gave a much-needed boost to the Australian film industry. Well, now we’re learning all about how he came to be out bush in the first place, and while it’s not quite such a heart-tugger as the first one, you’re probably going to still need some tissues if you go, and I recommend you do. Sterling effort from lead teenager Levi Miller (though Bryan Brown’s a bit iffy, sadly), but it’s the gorgeous Phoenix that steals the show as a four-legged star in the making.
Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders
What’s it about?
Holy nostalgic cash-in! Adam West’s Batman returns in all his camp glory! Facing more villainous villainy than Aunt Harriet can begin to imagine!
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: If you love 60s Batman, this will wipe away the pain of having to endure the histrionic horror of Batman V Superman forever. With three original cast; winks to the classic beyond-bad staging techniques; decent impressions of Penguin & Joker; and a storyline as lame as the originals; it’s a blast that matches, and occasionally exceeds expectations. It’s brave, bold, stupid fun.
Editor's Choice
Collateral Beauty
What’s it about?
An advertising executive (Will Smith) totally shuts down when tragedy strikes. His “concerned” friends (Kate Winslet, Edward Norton, Michael Pena) try to help when he starts questioning the universe and writing letters to the concept of Time, Death and Love.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: The intriguing trailer for this film is a lie. The concept, so artfully set up in the preview, is destroyed minutes into the film, creating a jarring effect that leaves a bitter, mean-spirited aftertaste. Collateral Beauty is emotionally manipulative, and seems to be created specifically to tug so fucking hard on heartstrings that it makes some kind of discordant non-musical cacophony of awfulness. It’s a movie purely about emotions that feels like it was made by someone who doesn’t understand how to human AT ALL. It gets two stars for what I thought the concept was, and the rest of the three taken off for what the actual movie robbed me of.
Assassin’s Creed
What’s it about?
A condemned man is rescued to take part in an experiment that allows him to connect to his ancestor’s memories using science… What? Really? How on Earth does that even…? Okay, Fine. That’s the story.
What we thought
Dan Beeston says:
I’m not sure if it was a problem with the mix but the film was SO LOUD that I felt flattened. The images flash by like they’re trying to cure Malcolm McDowell of his violent tendencies. No character seems sympathetic or even interesting. The story makes no sense. This film made me feel like a grandfather trying to program a VCR at a rave concert. The experience was a physical torture and I had to walk out after an hour.
Fuck this film
Red Dog: True Blue
What’s it about?
We learn about the early days of iconic outback canine Red Dog, and follow his adventures with his first ever BFF in this Aussie prequel.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: If you’re a softie, a dog lover, or you just don’t have a heart of stone, you probably loved the original Red Dog film. That loyal streak of red fluff who stole an outback town’s heart and gave a much-needed boost to the Australian film industry. Well, now we’re learning all about how he came to be out bush in the first place, and while it’s not quite such a heart-tugger as the first one, you’re probably going to still need some tissues if you go, and I recommend you do. Sterling effort from lead teenager Levi Miller (though Bryan Brown’s a bit iffy, sadly), but it’s the gorgeous Phoenix that steals the show as a four-legged star in the making.
Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders
What’s it about?
Holy nostalgic cash-in! Adam West’s Batman returns in all his camp glory! Facing more villainous villainy than Aunt Harriet can begin to imagine!
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: If you love 60s Batman, this will wipe away the pain of having to endure the histrionic horror of Batman V Superman forever. With three original cast; winks to the classic beyond-bad staging techniques; decent impressions of Penguin & Joker; and a storyline as lame as the originals; it’s a blast that matches, and occasionally exceeds expectations. It’s brave, bold, stupid fun.