The Amazing Spiderman 2
I hated the first Amazing Spiderman and after watching this trailer I’m already concerned for the newly rebooted franchise. Seriously? Multiple villians has hardly ever worked, the Richard Parker storyline already looks forced and while it looks big on action and fx it rolls out cliched dialogue hinting at a lack of depth.
To me it looks like quantity over quality.
But decide for yourself:
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
Ron Burgundy is everywhere at the moment! In cinemas telling us to turn off our phones, hosting TV shows (even here in Australia) and even commenting on the Doctor Who buzz in the lead-up to the 50th anniversary special.
What could be better? Well, the movie itself but until then be teased some more with the latest trailer:
Kill Your Darlings
What’s it about?
Set in 1944 and chronicling the origins of the Beat Generation, the film follows fresh-faced New Jersey poet’s son Allen Ginsberg (Daniel Radcliffe) to New York’s Columbia University, where he befriends the luminous, restless fellow student Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan). Joined by William S. Burroughs and writer Jack Kerouac, the pair grapples with convention, burgeoning talent, literary ambition and the consequences of obsession.
What did we think?
Marnie says: From pretentious, stock-standard coming-of-age film beginnings Kill Your Darlings hits its stride when it takes a dark turn to become a gripping, nicely paced tale of infatuation and its aftermath. Behind another pair of distinctive glasses a committed Radcliffe acquits himself well but the true star is DeHaan, whose character’s pain and desperation is palpable. Whether or not you’re familiar with the Beat movement, the intriguing story and psychological drama will hold your attention until the end.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
Flint Lockwood returns with his cast of zany friends to combat a second wave of killer food. Can he stop the dangers that threaten the whole globe while keeping his friends together and maintaining his relationship with his father? Of course he can. The big question is will it be entertaining?
What did we think?
Dan says: The first Cloudy film was an exceptional piece of cinema. This film takes the characters you loved from the last film and shoe horns them into a second, more whimsical endeavour. Lovers of awful puns will delight in this eye-popping extravaganza but if you want some heart in your story you’re looking at the wrong reanimated corpse.
It’s not unpalatable and there are plenty of laughs but ultimately it feels like someone took some old brioche, truss tomatoes and wagyu beef and turned them into a McDonald’s burger.
Her
Okay, this looks fascinating. It’s on my ‘to-watch’ list for sure.
Delivery Man
What’s it about?
A hapless delivery driver finds out that, during a rather active period as a sperm donor, he fathered more than 533 children. More than 100 of these now adult children petition the sperm bank to reveal their father’s identity. Will he come forward? Will he make a good dad?
What did we think?
Alex says: A remake of a 2011 French-Canadian film, Starbuck, Delivery Man is an unusual film. The warm-hearted, serious moments that are usually a cheesy drawback of “dropkick-proves-his-worth” comedies are actually the strengths of this film – though perhaps by default, because the laughs aren’t overly forthcoming. Parks & Recreations’ Chris Pratt is fine droll form as David’s lawyer but Vince Vaughn and Cobie Smulders aren’t at their best, guffaws-wise. Some genuinely touching scenes and good acting save this from being just another unnecessary US remake of a better foreign-language film.
What’s Popular
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2
What’s it About?
Katniss continues in her fight against the Capitol.
What Did We Think?
Elizabeth says: It was never a good idea to split the weakest of the book trilogy into two movies. There’s simply not enough plot to sustain the two films in a way feels in any way energetic. Significant deaths that had me sobbing in the book were so rushed that I wasn’t sure if they actually occurred or if Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) was hallucinating. Moreover, I’m not sure what happened in the direction department, but all the chemistry between the three leads (Gale, Katniss and Peeta) has melted away. Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson all turn in great individual performances but the love triangle vibe has gone limp; honestly it felt like Katniss was more affectionate towards Peeta when she hated him. On the heels of copycat concept films such as Divergent and The Maze Runner, Mockingjay Part Two feels tired and done and is at least 30 minutes too long.
Spectre
What’s It About?
Bond, James Bond. (No spoilers here!)
What Did We Think?
Liz says: Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, shaken not stirred, starring James Bond and Hans Lander. Seriously, if you saw MI5, and Inglorious Basterds, then you’ve already seen this movie. Still an enjoyable romp, Spectre is on par with Skyfall, leagues ahead of Quantum of Solace (that’s not hard) but falls far short of the high-rolling brilliance of Casino Royale.
Secret In Their Eyes
What’s it about?
Julia Roberts, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Nicole Kidman star as investigators whose lives are turned upside down when one of their children is brutally murdered.
What did we think?
I can’t remember if Kidman was a good actress back when her face could move, but she certainly isn’t now. Luckily Roberts and Ejiofor are outstanding in this gripping thriller, which keeps you guessing and makes you feel pretty damned good about yourself when/if you work out the plot twists before they happen (er, yes, that would be me). A tale of obsession, revenge and, of course, secrets, it’s well told and expertly directed by Billy Ray, though confusion between past and presence could have been avoided if they’d just removed the beard on Ejiofor’s younger self.
Mistress America
What’s it about?
What is it About : An anxious and lonely young college student gets caught up in the glamourous, exciting yet deluded plans of her older, soon-to-be step sister (Greta Gerwig).
What did we think?
Alice Barbery says: A slick and polished script sweeps the audience along in a whirlwind adventure between two women. The plot gathers pace and keeps unfolding with vigour, driving home the themes of growing up, fitting in and accepting that dreams require hard work and perseverance not just rich friends. This film, set in NYC, is pure delight filled with witty dialogue, likeable characters and relatable themes. By the end you’re compelled to cheer on each character and wish them all well. Intriguing and captivating.
Editor's Choice
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2
What’s it About?
Katniss continues in her fight against the Capitol.
What Did We Think?
Elizabeth says: It was never a good idea to split the weakest of the book trilogy into two movies. There’s simply not enough plot to sustain the two films in a way feels in any way energetic. Significant deaths that had me sobbing in the book were so rushed that I wasn’t sure if they actually occurred or if Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) was hallucinating. Moreover, I’m not sure what happened in the direction department, but all the chemistry between the three leads (Gale, Katniss and Peeta) has melted away. Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson all turn in great individual performances but the love triangle vibe has gone limp; honestly it felt like Katniss was more affectionate towards Peeta when she hated him. On the heels of copycat concept films such as Divergent and The Maze Runner, Mockingjay Part Two feels tired and done and is at least 30 minutes too long.
Spectre
What’s It About?
Bond, James Bond. (No spoilers here!)
What Did We Think?
Liz says: Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, shaken not stirred, starring James Bond and Hans Lander. Seriously, if you saw MI5, and Inglorious Basterds, then you’ve already seen this movie. Still an enjoyable romp, Spectre is on par with Skyfall, leagues ahead of Quantum of Solace (that’s not hard) but falls far short of the high-rolling brilliance of Casino Royale.
Secret In Their Eyes
What’s it about?
Julia Roberts, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Nicole Kidman star as investigators whose lives are turned upside down when one of their children is brutally murdered.
What did we think?
I can’t remember if Kidman was a good actress back when her face could move, but she certainly isn’t now. Luckily Roberts and Ejiofor are outstanding in this gripping thriller, which keeps you guessing and makes you feel pretty damned good about yourself when/if you work out the plot twists before they happen (er, yes, that would be me). A tale of obsession, revenge and, of course, secrets, it’s well told and expertly directed by Billy Ray, though confusion between past and presence could have been avoided if they’d just removed the beard on Ejiofor’s younger self.
Mistress America
What’s it about?
What is it About : An anxious and lonely young college student gets caught up in the glamourous, exciting yet deluded plans of her older, soon-to-be step sister (Greta Gerwig).
What did we think?
Alice Barbery says: A slick and polished script sweeps the audience along in a whirlwind adventure between two women. The plot gathers pace and keeps unfolding with vigour, driving home the themes of growing up, fitting in and accepting that dreams require hard work and perseverance not just rich friends. This film, set in NYC, is pure delight filled with witty dialogue, likeable characters and relatable themes. By the end you’re compelled to cheer on each character and wish them all well. Intriguing and captivating.