Paranormal Activity – The Marked Ones
I love horror movies but, to be honest, the last decade or so has been reasonably devoid of decent horror flicks. Then along came Paranormal Activity which reminded filmmakers that scary movies are more about suspense than gore, blood and detailed monsters. Love them.
So here are some clips of the upcoming latest PA movie.
Inside Llewyn Davis
What’s it about?
A week in the life of a struggling artist trying to make it in the folk music scene of 1961 set against a backdrop of winter in New York.
What did we think?
Elizabeth says: Interesting but not accessible. There are some really lovely moments here but that’s all they seemed to me: fleeting, disconnected moments. Inside Llewyn Davis feels like awards bait. It wallows so desperately in its own melancholy and is so focused on the insular creative scene that it feels a bit pretentious. It’s like it was crafted purely for the Coen brothers to say “Screw your movie conventions, this is ART and if you don’t like it then clearly you aren’t sophisticated enough.” And everyone else nods in agreement, shouting “It’s brilliant, you’re visionaries!” and pats themselves on the back for being so artsy high-brow wonderful. Except me. Bah humbug.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
What’s it about?
While working undercover as a junior analyst for the CIA, Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) uncovers an imminent terrorist attack designed to destroy the US economy.
What did we think?
Elodie says: If you blink, you’ll probably miss something. And once you’ve missed it, good luck trying to keep up with the plot. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is fast-paced, action-packed and topical, drawing on issues such as 9/11 and global economic instability for emphasis. At times, the action scenes could be from almost any spy drama. However, Pine meets expectations in a polished performance – he’s shed Captain Kirk and taken on shades of Jason Bourne. Worth seeing, even if only for Keira Knightley’s gawky American accent.
47 Ronin
What’s it about? A Hollywoodisation (I thought I just made up a word, but someone on the internet has already taken credit) of an 18th-century Japanese “national” legend The Revenge of the 47 Ronin.
What did we think?
Casey says: Clearly aimed at an audience that doesn’t like too many words, can’t spell numbers and hasn’t stopped smoking pot since the release of Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure, Ted’s latest romp falls somewhat short of a well-crafted depiction of a compelling Japanese legend.
Flags, costumes, cherry blossoms, traditional architecture, awesome sword fights and cool flippy fabric things are all in this film’s favour. Keanu Reeves, random helpful demons, and awful dialog are not.
Free Birds
What’s it about?
Two turkeys travel back in time to prevent turkeys becoming the main menu piece for thanksgiving.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: This movie will make you wish time travel was possible … so you could go back in time and stop yourself from seeing it. Or go back and stopping the film being made at all.
The script is so badly written it beggars belief. There are far too many ’70s references for grown-ups, none of which are funny. This movie is so bad I can’t even be bothered working in a joke about it being a ‘turkey’. It’s worse than that. Much worse.
What’s Popular
Room
What’s it about?
Based on Emma Donoghue’s best-selling book, this is the story of a Joseph Fritzl-style kidnapping, with a 24-year-old (Brie Larson) trapped inside a pervert’s shed with the five-year-old son she conceived with her captor. We learn about the world of Room through a child’s eyes, and follow them as they make to escape.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: Donoghue’s book is an absolute corker (should have won the Booker in my not so humble opinion) and, thanks to her scripting of the film, this is a corker too. Jacob Tremblay is a dream as the adorable Jack, whose bond with the only person in his whole world, Ma, is palpable. Ambitiously covering a period beyond the book, this beautifully understated film (minus any Hollywood hyperbole and dramatic bullshit) nails it. Take some tissues and enjoy the ride as Jack and his Ma encounter the real world, with all the confusion and heartbreak that entails.
The Dark Knight Movie Review
Add-in an optional excerpt to describe your review. Lorem Ipsum is the standard dummy text.
The Hateful Eight
A gritty and bloody western. but is three hours too long?
Goosebumps
What’s it about?
When teenage Zach (Dylan Minnette) moves to a small town, he soon discovers that his new neighbour Hannah (Odeya Rush) and her father, novelist R.L. Stine (Jack Black) are keeping a spooky secret.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: This adaptation of the popular Goosebumps series starts promisingly enough. The opening scenes are quite self-aware and genuinely funny in a family-friendly sort of way, and Jillian Bell’s Aunt Lorraine character is a standout. Sadly, it soon starts to turn into a Buzzfeed listicle of 15 Crazy Monsters You Might Remember From Goosebumps (Number Nine Will Shock You!). Nostalgia can’t keep it from lagging, Jack Black’s usual intense-eyes-wacky-voice shtick is as grating as ever and by the inevitable final confrontation I was bored. It’s worth pointing out that I’m not ten, though, and the kids in the audience seemed pretty into it. It’s not brilliant, but there are worse family films.
Editor's Choice
Room
What’s it about?
Based on Emma Donoghue’s best-selling book, this is the story of a Joseph Fritzl-style kidnapping, with a 24-year-old (Brie Larson) trapped inside a pervert’s shed with the five-year-old son she conceived with her captor. We learn about the world of Room through a child’s eyes, and follow them as they make to escape.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: Donoghue’s book is an absolute corker (should have won the Booker in my not so humble opinion) and, thanks to her scripting of the film, this is a corker too. Jacob Tremblay is a dream as the adorable Jack, whose bond with the only person in his whole world, Ma, is palpable. Ambitiously covering a period beyond the book, this beautifully understated film (minus any Hollywood hyperbole and dramatic bullshit) nails it. Take some tissues and enjoy the ride as Jack and his Ma encounter the real world, with all the confusion and heartbreak that entails.
The Dark Knight Movie Review
Add-in an optional excerpt to describe your review. Lorem Ipsum is the standard dummy text.
The Hateful Eight
A gritty and bloody western. but is three hours too long?
Goosebumps
What’s it about?
When teenage Zach (Dylan Minnette) moves to a small town, he soon discovers that his new neighbour Hannah (Odeya Rush) and her father, novelist R.L. Stine (Jack Black) are keeping a spooky secret.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: This adaptation of the popular Goosebumps series starts promisingly enough. The opening scenes are quite self-aware and genuinely funny in a family-friendly sort of way, and Jillian Bell’s Aunt Lorraine character is a standout. Sadly, it soon starts to turn into a Buzzfeed listicle of 15 Crazy Monsters You Might Remember From Goosebumps (Number Nine Will Shock You!). Nostalgia can’t keep it from lagging, Jack Black’s usual intense-eyes-wacky-voice shtick is as grating as ever and by the inevitable final confrontation I was bored. It’s worth pointing out that I’m not ten, though, and the kids in the audience seemed pretty into it. It’s not brilliant, but there are worse family films.