The Adventures of Tintin
What’s it about?
Hergé’s classic adventurer Tintin unravels the Secret of the Unicorn through a wild series of exploits accompanied by his super-sleuth dog Snowy and the inebriated Captain Haddock.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: This is what Indiana Jones IV should have been. Under Spielberg’s experienced hand, Hergé’s classic comes to performance-captured life in a rollicking story that easily matches the pantheon of immortal matinee adventurers. Blistering barnacles it’s bloody brilliant!
Chronicle
What’s it about?
Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.
What did we think?
A much more realistic medium between Heroes and Misfits, Chronicle is actually very entertaining as it follows not only teens exploring their powers in an almost frivolous way, but also the psychological consequences.
This added depth makes this clever film quite fascinating.
The Darkest Hour
What’s it about?
In Moscow, five young people lead the charge against a seemingly invisible alien race who have attacked Earth for our energy.
What did we think?
A largely run-of-the-mill alien invasion/end-of-the-world film where a few unexpected twists and themes are counterbalanced by some appalling logic and stupid characters. It’s nice that it’s set outside the US with some lovely Moscow locations. Not bad but nowhere near great either.
Hugo
What’s it about?
Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.
What did we think?
Anthony says: A triumph of storytelling. Martin Scorsese shouldn’t bother making another action film ever. This enchanting film is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
What’s it about?
A nine-year-old amateur inventor, Francophile, and pacifist searches New York City for the lock that matches a mysterious key left behind by his father, who died in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
What did we think?
An example of Hollywood greenlighting a concept without caring if the actual writing and details are any good. They were obviously banking on the star power and emotion to attract rather than specifics and quality. Don’t bother.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (US)
What’s it about?
A journalist is hired by a wealthy magnate to solve his niece’s murder 36 years prior.
What did we think?
Stew says: After the great Swedish film, an english remake of this material is largely redundant for those who can read. However a superb cast, atmosphere and visuals by one of the finest directors currently working make this one of the best english remakes I’ve seen. A darker and moodier take on this cult book. Definitely worth a look.
What’s Popular
Dracula Untold
What it’s about?
Vlad the Impaler (Luke Evans), prince of Transylvania, risks eternal damnation by gaining demonic superpowers in order to save his people from the invading Turkish hordes.
What did we think?
Andrew Stewart says: Action hero flick meets comic-book thriller meets PG13 horror film and it’s not a winning combination. Evans carries the film through a suspenseful but ultimately jumbled Dracula origins tale. Battle scenes don’t reach any epic heights (they’re mostly just full of bats, and not the kind you hit people with) and for a vamp story there’s not a great deal of horror here either. This one didn’t totally suck (get it? Vampires!) but it wasn’t bloody good either.
The Equalizer
What’s it about?
An everyday insomniac turns out to be more than he seems when the scum of the earth floats to the top of his little pond. He quickly goes about adding ventilation holes to those who would do harm to the innocent in his life.
What did we think?
Dan says: This modern reimagining of the eighties TV show of the same name is a beautiful demonstration of the ‘Justice Porn’ genre of film. Denzil Washington is a calm and calculating avenging angel. Apparently invincible he separates each two dimensional bad guy from his insides on route to make calmly psychopathic speeches to his main adversary.
The film doesn’t really challenge the viewer unless the viewer’s stomach for visceral violence is weak. No big surprises but a well-made piece of cinema that would have wooed Edward Woodward if Edward Woodward could be wooed.
Sin City: A Dame To Kill For
What’s it about?
More intertwining stories from Basin ‘sin’ City. In black and white. With OTT violence and sexual themes.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The sequel is almost exactly the same as the first in both style and general narrative technique. In fact, while some would say it should embrace what set it apart, you’re left feeling it’s actually far too similar and instead of a fresh continuation it’s almost a rehash. It’s certainly still enjoyable but Miller and Rodrigues seem to have sacrificed the grit for some average one liners and far more two-dimensional characters.
Fans of the original will still have fun with this romp but it ends up running 20 minutes too long and there actually may be a bit too much nudity (something I thought I’d never write – but it’s probably a reflection of the sameness of it) though it has to be said Eva Green yet again steals the show. Missing sparkle.
The Boxtrolls
What’s it about?
A young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator. Based on the children’s novel ‘Here Be Monsters’ by Alan Snow.
What did we think?
Despite delightfully quirky animation and a genuinely rich story the Boxtrolls is an odd film. It’s a bit too scary for kids under six and anyone over 14 would be left feeling it’s too much of a kids movie. That’s quite a small niche market and the movie would have been stronger if they’d committed to either adults or kids.
The storyline is flat, the creatures are only sort of loveable and while the animation is a marvel its dirty feel isn’t quite appealing. The movie is itself like a cardboard box – so much potential until you open it and discover there wasn’t much in it.
Editor's Choice
Dracula Untold
What it’s about?
Vlad the Impaler (Luke Evans), prince of Transylvania, risks eternal damnation by gaining demonic superpowers in order to save his people from the invading Turkish hordes.
What did we think?
Andrew Stewart says: Action hero flick meets comic-book thriller meets PG13 horror film and it’s not a winning combination. Evans carries the film through a suspenseful but ultimately jumbled Dracula origins tale. Battle scenes don’t reach any epic heights (they’re mostly just full of bats, and not the kind you hit people with) and for a vamp story there’s not a great deal of horror here either. This one didn’t totally suck (get it? Vampires!) but it wasn’t bloody good either.
The Equalizer
What’s it about?
An everyday insomniac turns out to be more than he seems when the scum of the earth floats to the top of his little pond. He quickly goes about adding ventilation holes to those who would do harm to the innocent in his life.
What did we think?
Dan says: This modern reimagining of the eighties TV show of the same name is a beautiful demonstration of the ‘Justice Porn’ genre of film. Denzil Washington is a calm and calculating avenging angel. Apparently invincible he separates each two dimensional bad guy from his insides on route to make calmly psychopathic speeches to his main adversary.
The film doesn’t really challenge the viewer unless the viewer’s stomach for visceral violence is weak. No big surprises but a well-made piece of cinema that would have wooed Edward Woodward if Edward Woodward could be wooed.
Sin City: A Dame To Kill For
What’s it about?
More intertwining stories from Basin ‘sin’ City. In black and white. With OTT violence and sexual themes.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The sequel is almost exactly the same as the first in both style and general narrative technique. In fact, while some would say it should embrace what set it apart, you’re left feeling it’s actually far too similar and instead of a fresh continuation it’s almost a rehash. It’s certainly still enjoyable but Miller and Rodrigues seem to have sacrificed the grit for some average one liners and far more two-dimensional characters.
Fans of the original will still have fun with this romp but it ends up running 20 minutes too long and there actually may be a bit too much nudity (something I thought I’d never write – but it’s probably a reflection of the sameness of it) though it has to be said Eva Green yet again steals the show. Missing sparkle.
The Boxtrolls
What’s it about?
A young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator. Based on the children’s novel ‘Here Be Monsters’ by Alan Snow.
What did we think?
Despite delightfully quirky animation and a genuinely rich story the Boxtrolls is an odd film. It’s a bit too scary for kids under six and anyone over 14 would be left feeling it’s too much of a kids movie. That’s quite a small niche market and the movie would have been stronger if they’d committed to either adults or kids.
The storyline is flat, the creatures are only sort of loveable and while the animation is a marvel its dirty feel isn’t quite appealing. The movie is itself like a cardboard box – so much potential until you open it and discover there wasn’t much in it.