Carrie
What’s it about?
A sheltered, bullied girl unleashes telekinetic terror after being pushed too far.
What did we think?
This remake of Stephen King’s classic tale feels almost too faithful to the original and largely unnecessary. Julianne Moore is appropriately creepy as Carrie’s religious zealot mother, while Chloe Grace Moretz gives good crazy eye as Carrie. But were their efforts as believable and memorable as Piper Laurie’s and Sissy Spacek’s Oscar-nominated performances? No. And, frankly, we expected more from the director of Boys Don’t Cry, Kimberly Peirce.
The Fifth Estate
What’s it about?
A “from the headlines” flick in which Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daniel Brühl) team up to expose corrupt authority figures through their site WikiLeaks. As the secrets they uncover become more portentous, the company mission statement begins to blur.
What did we think?
Elizabeth says: Firstly, let me say, Cumberbatch’s insanely accurate Aussie accent is a wonder to behold. Now that’s out of the way, this film has a very Social Network feel to it: borderline-Asperger’s genius has idea for company, partners with a like-minded tech whiz, hits the big time, gets a bigger ego, gets paranoid every time partner is credited alongside him, fires partner, looks like an asshole. Does it bring anything new to the table? Not really. Is it interesting? Sort of, if you haven’t already watched the whole drama over the news.
Hunger Games: Catching Fire
What’s it about?
In this sequel to The Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: It’s rare a movie can improve on the book but now The Hunger Games franchise has done it twice. A strong narrative establishes a gripping tale and, more importantly, a very good action film with strongly developed characters. It improves on the first film by clearly identifying the stakes allowing the viewer to get lost in the ride.
And although this simplification tends to dumb down any real-world political messages, it makes for great viewing. Despite the lack of extra layers, this is possibly the best popcorn movie of the year.
Bad Grandpa
What’s it about?
After his wife Ellie passes, 86-year-old Irving Zisman’s (Johnny Knoxville) quest for a new, prime “piece of tail” is invigorated. This dream is short lived when he’s forced to deliver his grandson Billy to his father after Billy’s junkie mum is jailed. Queue the precocious kid/dirty old man road trip.
What did we think?
Elodie says: You would think that taking a small Jackass skit, adding a scripted storyline and combining it with the traditional Jackass hidden-camera pranks to make a full length movie would fail big time, but it doesn’t. This movie is not for the faint hearted or those who would despise a dude dressing up as an old man for shits and giggles. Bad Grandpa is crude, it’s daring, but most of all it’s hilarious!
Enough Said
What’s it about?
A middle-aged divorcee (Julia Louis Dreyfus) wrestles with the many relationships in her life and discovers that experience is a very different thing to wisdom.
What did we think?
Dan says: This delightfully funny film captures the heart of real relationship trials and tribulations. Imagine that you and your friends were slightly funnier than you are when you’re drunk and that you had a chance to do a second draft of everything you said and you’d almost have this film.
Story buffs will leave feeling unsatisfied but the real meat is in the relationships and the interplay between this extremely talented ensemble doing what they do best.
Disney’s Frozen
We’re SO excited about the next animated Disney movie! We cannot wait.
What do you mean you don’t know anything about it? Watch this now!
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.