Killers
What’s it about?
A vacationing woman meets her ideal man, leading to a swift marriage. Back at home, however, their idyllic life is upset when they discover their neighbors could be assassins who have been contracted to kill the couple.
What do we think?
Anthony says: One of the trailers for this movie was the upcoming Pirahna 3-D which looks horrendous. Now I think they put that trailer in deliberately to make this cr4p film look better by comparison. Not even Tom Selleck can save this one.
Fright Night
What’s it about?
A teenager suspects his neighbour is a vampire. What? In this day and age? But what IF he really is…?
What did we think?
Anthony says: Not quite horror and not quite comedy, Fright Night is simply fun. A vampire movie either has to be suspenseful or an entertaining romp. This is the latter. A remake of the 80s film of the same name, Fright Night dishes out laughs and suspense in equal proportions. Colin Farrell and David Tennant steal the show.
The Smurfs
What’s it about?
When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world into New York City.
What do we think?
Anthony says: The movie poster asks “Where the smurf are we?” I’m inclined to ask “what the smurf was that?” With a storyline from cliche central, there’s nothing truly engaging here if you’re above the age of 12. In fact, it seems to spend more time trying to appeal than actually coming up with an entertaining story.
They smurfed it up.
Burn After Reading
What’s it about?
A computer disk containing CIA secrets ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous everyday normal people who try to sell it.
What we think:
Anthony says It should have been Burnt Before Screening. Pretentious rubbish that attempts high-brow but can’t resist some cheap laughs and completely loses its way. Not even an all-star cast will keep you awake.
Captain America: The First Avenger
What’s it about?
A frail but stubborn youth is so determined to enlist to fight in WWII he volunteers for an experimental project that injects super serum into his body turning him into a superhero. Based on the Marvel comics character,
What did we think?
Anthony says: This movie simultaneously manages to demonstrate what can be great and awful about movies based on comics. The first half is impressive character building and backstory. Sadly the second half is just cheesy CGI and scenes fraught with plotholes.
What’s Popular
Into the Storm
What it’s about?
A group of storm chasers are shooting a documentary about tornados. Meanwhile, a small town lays in the path of a giant storm.
What did we think?
Andrew says: If you’ve seen Twister then you’ve seen this movie. If you haven’t seen Twister, go rent it from the video store and save your cinema cashola. The plot is weak, acting is pretty lame and the attempt at the “home video” style cinematography is poorly executed. The few tornado scenes where the film’s budget was spent were short-lived and unconvincing. Overall, it blows. Yeah, I went there.
Boyhood
What’s it about?
A boy called Mason literally grows up before our eyes. No, seriously… This film uses the same cast over 12 years.
What did we think?
Elizabeth says: The sheer scope of this film is reason enough to make it compulsory viewing. IT’S 12 YEARS. WITH THE SAME CAST. Apparently not even their contracts could legally cover the whole span of the filming. Boyhood is the closest thing you’ll get to seeing real-life on the big screen without it being a documentary. It doesn’t feel scripted, and yet it is. It doesn’t feel directed, and yet it is – meticulously. Not a lot happens in Hollywood terms… there’s no big climax, no massive turning point, no soaring violin strings or life-altering decisions to make… Here is a film with next to no plot, and yet it’s one of the most compelling offerings to grace our screens in years.
Rock the Casbah
What’s it about?
A French/Arabian co-production in which a family gather after the patriarch dies and secrets are revealed that threaten relationships.
What did we think?
Elizabeth says: Come on guys. Death as a precursor for forced disclosure of dysfunctional secrets has been done. Having the dead guy (a magical Omar Shariff) narrate the funereal action is a gimmick not used frequently enough to differentiate this from any other film of its ilk. It’s all been done – and been done better – before.
Magic in the Moonlight
What’s is about?
A romantic comedy about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle. Personal and professional complications ensue.
What did we think?
Cindy says: I confess I’m a Woody Allen tragic, but as a rule, even I can admit only every second film he makes is a real winner. Blue Jasmine was a hard act to follow, and Magic In The Moonlight IS lovely; just not amazing. Lovely scenery, lovely cast, lovely performances, lovely art direction, but something’s missing. For die hard fans and those looking for something, well, lovely.
Editor's Choice
Into the Storm
What it’s about?
A group of storm chasers are shooting a documentary about tornados. Meanwhile, a small town lays in the path of a giant storm.
What did we think?
Andrew says: If you’ve seen Twister then you’ve seen this movie. If you haven’t seen Twister, go rent it from the video store and save your cinema cashola. The plot is weak, acting is pretty lame and the attempt at the “home video” style cinematography is poorly executed. The few tornado scenes where the film’s budget was spent were short-lived and unconvincing. Overall, it blows. Yeah, I went there.
Boyhood
What’s it about?
A boy called Mason literally grows up before our eyes. No, seriously… This film uses the same cast over 12 years.
What did we think?
Elizabeth says: The sheer scope of this film is reason enough to make it compulsory viewing. IT’S 12 YEARS. WITH THE SAME CAST. Apparently not even their contracts could legally cover the whole span of the filming. Boyhood is the closest thing you’ll get to seeing real-life on the big screen without it being a documentary. It doesn’t feel scripted, and yet it is. It doesn’t feel directed, and yet it is – meticulously. Not a lot happens in Hollywood terms… there’s no big climax, no massive turning point, no soaring violin strings or life-altering decisions to make… Here is a film with next to no plot, and yet it’s one of the most compelling offerings to grace our screens in years.
Rock the Casbah
What’s it about?
A French/Arabian co-production in which a family gather after the patriarch dies and secrets are revealed that threaten relationships.
What did we think?
Elizabeth says: Come on guys. Death as a precursor for forced disclosure of dysfunctional secrets has been done. Having the dead guy (a magical Omar Shariff) narrate the funereal action is a gimmick not used frequently enough to differentiate this from any other film of its ilk. It’s all been done – and been done better – before.
Magic in the Moonlight
What’s is about?
A romantic comedy about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle. Personal and professional complications ensue.
What did we think?
Cindy says: I confess I’m a Woody Allen tragic, but as a rule, even I can admit only every second film he makes is a real winner. Blue Jasmine was a hard act to follow, and Magic In The Moonlight IS lovely; just not amazing. Lovely scenery, lovely cast, lovely performances, lovely art direction, but something’s missing. For die hard fans and those looking for something, well, lovely.