Dark Shadows
What’s it about?
An imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins, is set free after 200 years and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection. Hijinx ensue as he ‘adapts’ to the modern world of 1972.
What did we think?
Despite the wacky premise, this self-indulgent movie takes itself far too seriously. Some wicked performances but to be frank, you should watch the first 20 minutes, go out for a coffee/shop/lunch/whatever for 70 minutes and then come back for the final 20.
Maybe that way you’ll enjoy it.
2.5
America Pie Reunion
What’s it about?
The original cast rejoin the war with Jim, Michelle, Stifler, and their friends reuniting in East Great Falls, Michigan for their high school reunion.
What did we think?
Now there’s an EIGHTH movie in the series. On the bright side, it’s the best since the original movie but let’s face it that’s not really saying much given the quality of numbers two through seven.
Diehard fans will enjoy the characterisations and misadventures but most of us have seen it all before. Too many times.
The Hunger Games
What’s it about?
In a dystopian future society, the ruthless Capitol forces one boy and one girl from each district to fight to the death in an arena as punishment for past uprisings. Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister’s place when she is chosen as the District 12 sacrifice.
What did we think?
Liz says: Having missed the bandwagon of The Hunger Games book series, I went into this film completely blind and came out a convert. The film is impressive in its scope and scale, and the alternate world created by the writers is intriguing and imaginatively detailed. The pace of the film never lags and the story had me interested right from the word go. Great performances from a relatively unknown young cast, with some older talent providing a nice anchor: I particularly enjoyed Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy and Lenny Kravitz as the futuristic stylist Cinna.
See the movie. Buy the books. Repeat.
The Five-Year Engagement
What’s it about?
Violet (Emily Blunt) and Tom (Jason Segal) meet, fall in love and get engaged. But something always seems to come in between them and their big day.
What did we think?
It’s never a good sign when you find yourself thinking that a film feels long while you’re still watching it. However, a great beginning and great ending mostly make up for the pace problems in the middle. The chemistry between Blunt and Segel is a delight to watch and Alison Brie steals the show as Blunt’s hilarious sister (demonstrating a ‘so cute it’s ridiculous’ British accent in the process).
Despite the fact that the movie isn’t quite gross enough for Apatow fans and will be a little too silly for those expecting a straight-up rom-com, it’s still worth a watch, especially for Segal/Blunt fans.
Margin Call
What’s it about?
This flick follows the key people at a financial investment firm over a 24-hour period, during the early stages of the financial crisis.
What did we think?
The reviews that call this “the best Wall Street movie ever made” are not unfounded. It’s a taut, fast paced thrill of a film that has you shaking your head in disbelief at just how the hell Capitalism ever led to this.
Loved the fact that the positions of the actors in the company reflected their Hollywood cred from the big boss veteran Jeremy Irons, through middle man Paul Bettany, right down to underlings Penn Badgely and Zachary Quinto. Powerhouse performances by all.
The Avengers
What’s it about?
Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. brings together a rag-tag team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from the demi-god Loki and his army.
What did we think?
Half an hour of exposition followed by two hours of rollicking comic action. Great fun. Some minor problems here and there but the ride is so much fun you simply don’t care.
Mark Ruffalo steals the show as the Hulk and it seems inevitable that Joss Whedon will get a greenlight for a sequel. And perhaps Ruffalo’s performance means yet another Hulk movie.
What’s Popular
Maps To The Stars
What’s it about?
Agatha (Mia Wasikowska) the exiled daughter of a Hollywood power couple (John Cusack and Olivia Williams) returns to LA to reconnect with her famous younger brother (Evan Bird). Violence pursues those around her, including a frustrated actor turned chauffeur (Robert Pattinson) and fading star Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore).
What did we think?
Scott Ford says: A cavalcade of stars, commentary on celebrity and self-help, incest and tween violence — director David Cronenberg has packed a lot into this film, but nothing sticks. The plot, which gestures at classical tragedy and references surrealist poetry, is often advanced by the appearance of exposition-spewing phantoms and is entirely forgettable.
Cronenberg’s direction is excellent as ever, dancing the line between alienation and intimacy. The dialogue between tween superstars is a reminder of his talent for making discomfiture compelling. But there are also more than a few regrettable moments. Maps to the Stars is a lot adding up to not much.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
What’s it about?
Alexander has more terrible days than most, especially compared to the rest of his ‘perfect’ family. Wishing on his birthday that they could experience the sort of day that he normally has, Liar Liar-style, they do.
What did we think?
Rob O’Connor says: Surprisingly amusing! This live-action Disney family film is loosely based on a popular children’s book, so our expectations were low – happily they were exceeded. While so many of these films feature idiot parents, bratty kids and a story aimed at selling Happy Meals, Alexander avoids all that, delivering a nice message about families sticking together.
The jokes were well spread over our posse (9yo, 13yo and parents) and there were enough quality laughs for all for a pass mark. The cast, which include Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner, are dependable but not stretched. The film is good, single-view, inoffensive, forgettable family fun for 7 year olds and up. That’s definitely better than most films in this genre.
Let’s Be Cops
What’s it about?
Two friends dress up as policeman and get carried away when they get mistaken for the real thing.
What did we think?
What do you get when you have a cop movie without cops? This. With a simple premise, Let’s Be Cops is really a one-joke wonder trading off the popularity of TV’s New Girl. And for fans of the show that’s probably gong to be enough. Nick and Coach…. er… I mean Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans are likable (and rather similar to their small screen characters) but there’s just not enough in the script for anyone.
For non-New Girl fans, the first half of the movie is sort of okay but it just runs out of direction and laughs. After awhile it feels like you’re the one doing time. Don’t do the crime kids.
The Drop
What it’s about?
Set in the working-class streets of Brooklyn, Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) is an unassuming bartender working at his cousin’s bar that operates as a “drop” taking illegal cash deposits from the Mafia.
What do we think?
Andrew Stewart says: This is a movie that builds slowly, storing small pieces of intense energy away until the pressure gets too much and it explodes all over the screen in the most satisfying way. The ending is gripping and is a fitting crescendo to the complex character development carefully crafted throughout. Both Hardy and the late James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) make this mobster thriller worth seeing.
Editor's Choice
Maps To The Stars
What’s it about?
Agatha (Mia Wasikowska) the exiled daughter of a Hollywood power couple (John Cusack and Olivia Williams) returns to LA to reconnect with her famous younger brother (Evan Bird). Violence pursues those around her, including a frustrated actor turned chauffeur (Robert Pattinson) and fading star Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore).
What did we think?
Scott Ford says: A cavalcade of stars, commentary on celebrity and self-help, incest and tween violence — director David Cronenberg has packed a lot into this film, but nothing sticks. The plot, which gestures at classical tragedy and references surrealist poetry, is often advanced by the appearance of exposition-spewing phantoms and is entirely forgettable.
Cronenberg’s direction is excellent as ever, dancing the line between alienation and intimacy. The dialogue between tween superstars is a reminder of his talent for making discomfiture compelling. But there are also more than a few regrettable moments. Maps to the Stars is a lot adding up to not much.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
What’s it about?
Alexander has more terrible days than most, especially compared to the rest of his ‘perfect’ family. Wishing on his birthday that they could experience the sort of day that he normally has, Liar Liar-style, they do.
What did we think?
Rob O’Connor says: Surprisingly amusing! This live-action Disney family film is loosely based on a popular children’s book, so our expectations were low – happily they were exceeded. While so many of these films feature idiot parents, bratty kids and a story aimed at selling Happy Meals, Alexander avoids all that, delivering a nice message about families sticking together.
The jokes were well spread over our posse (9yo, 13yo and parents) and there were enough quality laughs for all for a pass mark. The cast, which include Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner, are dependable but not stretched. The film is good, single-view, inoffensive, forgettable family fun for 7 year olds and up. That’s definitely better than most films in this genre.
Let’s Be Cops
What’s it about?
Two friends dress up as policeman and get carried away when they get mistaken for the real thing.
What did we think?
What do you get when you have a cop movie without cops? This. With a simple premise, Let’s Be Cops is really a one-joke wonder trading off the popularity of TV’s New Girl. And for fans of the show that’s probably gong to be enough. Nick and Coach…. er… I mean Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans are likable (and rather similar to their small screen characters) but there’s just not enough in the script for anyone.
For non-New Girl fans, the first half of the movie is sort of okay but it just runs out of direction and laughs. After awhile it feels like you’re the one doing time. Don’t do the crime kids.
The Drop
What it’s about?
Set in the working-class streets of Brooklyn, Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) is an unassuming bartender working at his cousin’s bar that operates as a “drop” taking illegal cash deposits from the Mafia.
What do we think?
Andrew Stewart says: This is a movie that builds slowly, storing small pieces of intense energy away until the pressure gets too much and it explodes all over the screen in the most satisfying way. The ending is gripping and is a fitting crescendo to the complex character development carefully crafted throughout. Both Hardy and the late James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) make this mobster thriller worth seeing.