Mirror Mirror
What’s it about?
An evil queen steals control of a kingdom and an exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright.
What did we think?
Like a shiny red apple the lovely scenery and gorgeous star are enticing, but true to the original story the fruit leaves you feeling a bit off. The aesthetics are wonderful and Julia Robert’s wicked turn as the witch entertains but the re-imagination just never quite gels.
In a year of Snow White overload (Once Upon A time, Mirror Mirror and the upcoming Snow White & the Huntsman), this is not the Charming we were looking for. 2.5/5
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
YAWN… one of those films people tell you is brilliant because they think they’re supposed too.
An endless series of slow conversations, followed by someone walking somewhere, followed by another slow, monotone and utterly snooze worthy conversation.
Save your money.
Young Adult
What’s it about?
A fiction writer returns to her home town with the intent of rekindling a romance with her high-school boyfriend, who just happens to be happily married with a child.
What did we think?
Overly long, slow-paced artsy-wannabe flick with an intensely dislikable lead character. The sass from writer Diablo Cody’s earlier effort, Juno, seems to have disappeared. I didn’t really care what happened to anyone in the film and I want my money and my night back.
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.
What’s Popular
This Is Where I Leave You
What’s it about?
When their father passes away, four grown siblings are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: It’s intelligent, poignant and – to be honest – a little manipulative. Thankfully the tone is more thoughtful than preachy and the quality of the cast is incredible so you can forgive the occasional heavy handedness. Had the potential to be a lot more but it does manage to touch the heart if not fully engage the mind.
Fury
What’s it about?
It’s April 1945 in Germany and Sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier leads his crew and tank (named Fury) behind enemy lines. Norman Ellison (Logan Lerman) a clerk who’s been in the army eight weeks is assigned to Fury as their assistant driver as they move through Germany protecting key Allied strongholds.
What did we think?
Casey says: Graphic, confronting, revolting, and touching all at the same time, Fury shows the worst and the best of the people thrust unwillingly into war. I started watching this thinking it would be entertainment – a touching story of good triumphing over evil… with cool explosions. Instead I left the cinema thinking about what war has the capacity to do to people… aaaaaand marveling at the awesome explosions and disappearing heads.
Kill The Messenger
What’s it about?
Jeremy Renner stars in the true story of a journalist who stumbled into the shady world of the CIA’s drug dealings in Venezuela during the Cold War. Investigating the story could be the opportunity of a lifetime but it risks cutting that lifetime short.
What did we think?
Dan says: This true story tells the horrifying reality of the grey areas in which the CIA has dealt in the past. For a film with such a shocking story to tell it seems to struggle to capture that tone. It feels like a shorter story stretched thin and long. Like drinking two big glasses of lite milk instead of one of full cream, I was getting all the goodness of the contents but it never seemed satisfying and by the end I was feeling decidedly bloated.
Before I Go To Sleep
What’s it about?
Christine (Nicole Kidman) suffers from Guy Pearce syndrome a condition that results in her memory being erased whenever she sleeps. Whom can she trust when she can’t trust herself?
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: It’s Memento: Suburban Edition! Before I Go To Sleep is both a well-paced whodunnit and a sensitive depiction of living with severe illness. A few ridiculous bits of exposition are tempered by top-notch performances, especially by Colin Firth and a few genuinely nifty twists. For a film about memory loss, it’s pretty memorable. Sadly, even at a cracking 97 minutes, it’s still 10 minutes too long. When will writers learn that loose ends don’t all need to be bloody tied up?
Editor's Choice
This Is Where I Leave You
What’s it about?
When their father passes away, four grown siblings are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: It’s intelligent, poignant and – to be honest – a little manipulative. Thankfully the tone is more thoughtful than preachy and the quality of the cast is incredible so you can forgive the occasional heavy handedness. Had the potential to be a lot more but it does manage to touch the heart if not fully engage the mind.
Fury
What’s it about?
It’s April 1945 in Germany and Sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier leads his crew and tank (named Fury) behind enemy lines. Norman Ellison (Logan Lerman) a clerk who’s been in the army eight weeks is assigned to Fury as their assistant driver as they move through Germany protecting key Allied strongholds.
What did we think?
Casey says: Graphic, confronting, revolting, and touching all at the same time, Fury shows the worst and the best of the people thrust unwillingly into war. I started watching this thinking it would be entertainment – a touching story of good triumphing over evil… with cool explosions. Instead I left the cinema thinking about what war has the capacity to do to people… aaaaaand marveling at the awesome explosions and disappearing heads.
Kill The Messenger
What’s it about?
Jeremy Renner stars in the true story of a journalist who stumbled into the shady world of the CIA’s drug dealings in Venezuela during the Cold War. Investigating the story could be the opportunity of a lifetime but it risks cutting that lifetime short.
What did we think?
Dan says: This true story tells the horrifying reality of the grey areas in which the CIA has dealt in the past. For a film with such a shocking story to tell it seems to struggle to capture that tone. It feels like a shorter story stretched thin and long. Like drinking two big glasses of lite milk instead of one of full cream, I was getting all the goodness of the contents but it never seemed satisfying and by the end I was feeling decidedly bloated.
Before I Go To Sleep
What’s it about?
Christine (Nicole Kidman) suffers from Guy Pearce syndrome a condition that results in her memory being erased whenever she sleeps. Whom can she trust when she can’t trust herself?
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: It’s Memento: Suburban Edition! Before I Go To Sleep is both a well-paced whodunnit and a sensitive depiction of living with severe illness. A few ridiculous bits of exposition are tempered by top-notch performances, especially by Colin Firth and a few genuinely nifty twists. For a film about memory loss, it’s pretty memorable. Sadly, even at a cracking 97 minutes, it’s still 10 minutes too long. When will writers learn that loose ends don’t all need to be bloody tied up?