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.
Sherlock Holmes 2
Full title: Sherlock Holmes: The Game Of Shadows
What’s it about?
Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces once more in an attempt to bring down their fiercest adversary, the genius Professor Moriarty.
What did we think?
Anthony says: This largely irreverent film pays little respect to the original literary piece. Instead of a deep, complex psychological web, we get served up stunts and fight scenes aimed to appeal to the masses with little respect to the original character. In other words, it’s quite similar to the first one of this modern movie franchise. Not bad but it’s unlikely you’ll want to watch it a second time. For me? Meh.
Moneyball
What’s it about?
A baseball general manager who, faced with budgetary constraints, turns to a new statistical model of recruiting rather than the traditional scouting methods. Can he compete with the super-rich clubs on a shoe-string budget?
What did we think?
Moneyball is a enthralling baseball movie that’s barely about baseball. It’s an incredible true story of challenging the establishment and tradition and Brad Pitt (who bears an eery resemblance to Robert Redford here) is amazing. Wonderfully scripted (Aaron Sorkin) and acted, this is one of the movies of the year!
Immortals
What’s it about?
A ruthless King leads a giant army across the lands to release the mythical Titans from their bonds so they can destroy the gods. A mortal mentored by Zeus himself is the god’s and mankind’s last hope.
What did we think?
Not even nice special effects can save this bastardisation of greek mythology. The poor quality storyline fails to engage and it’s hard to care too much about most of the characters. If you just want a series of fight scenes interspersed with some cliched writing then this is fine. If you prefer quality storytelling with your mythology then look elsewhere.
What’s Popular
The Judge
What’s it about?
Big city lawyer Hank Palmer returns to his childhood home where his father, the town’s judge, is suspected of murder. Hank sets out to discover the truth and, along the way, reconnects with his estranged family.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The first half of this movie is an overwhelming collection of cliches and stereotypes and it’s only the amazing performances of the truly impressive cast that keeps you on the hook. But somehow the second half of the movie actually manages to go a bit deeper, interspersing enough humour and pathos to leave you with a surprisingly satisfying ending.
Tusk
What’s it about?
A new media letch with a poorly calibrated moral compass gets abducted. He is to be the subject of experiments to see if his humanity can be stripped from him if he is surgically transformed into a walrus.
What did we think?
Dan Beeston says: I’ve never seen a film where a fifth of the audience walked out and two fifths stayed right through the credits. This film is nothing if not divisive. Kevin Smith creates an eclectic parody of a horror film. It’s never scary but is appreciatively grotesque.
Justin Long is denied lines of dialogue as his character transforms – it’s probably a good thing as his character is neither likeable nor charismatically detestable. The Québécois detective is boring and pales in comparision to Michael Parks’ stellar performance.
Smith has re-embraced his independent beginnings and I’m glad this film exists but I think that he also needs a slightly firmer guiding hand.
Gone Girl
What’s it about?
Nick Dunne’s wife Amy disappears suddenly one morning, with signs suggesting she has been abducted, possibly murdered. As the hunt for her begins and the story of their marriage unfolds, police and media suspicion falls on Nick.
What did we think?
Francesca Percy says: How well do you know your spouse? This is the central question of Gone Girl, based on the acclaimed novel and screenplay by Gillian Flynn, cleverly directed by David Fincher and featuring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, brilliantly cast as the central couple, too cool to be true. It’s a suspenseful treasure hunt that draws you in further with every clue, twist and revelation about Ben and Amy, from the first time they meet to the day of their fifth anniversary. Honestly, the less you know about the plot, the better. It’s thrilling, chilling, occasionally funny, and well worth your time.
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.
Editor's Choice
The Judge
What’s it about?
Big city lawyer Hank Palmer returns to his childhood home where his father, the town’s judge, is suspected of murder. Hank sets out to discover the truth and, along the way, reconnects with his estranged family.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The first half of this movie is an overwhelming collection of cliches and stereotypes and it’s only the amazing performances of the truly impressive cast that keeps you on the hook. But somehow the second half of the movie actually manages to go a bit deeper, interspersing enough humour and pathos to leave you with a surprisingly satisfying ending.
Tusk
What’s it about?
A new media letch with a poorly calibrated moral compass gets abducted. He is to be the subject of experiments to see if his humanity can be stripped from him if he is surgically transformed into a walrus.
What did we think?
Dan Beeston says: I’ve never seen a film where a fifth of the audience walked out and two fifths stayed right through the credits. This film is nothing if not divisive. Kevin Smith creates an eclectic parody of a horror film. It’s never scary but is appreciatively grotesque.
Justin Long is denied lines of dialogue as his character transforms – it’s probably a good thing as his character is neither likeable nor charismatically detestable. The Québécois detective is boring and pales in comparision to Michael Parks’ stellar performance.
Smith has re-embraced his independent beginnings and I’m glad this film exists but I think that he also needs a slightly firmer guiding hand.
Gone Girl
What’s it about?
Nick Dunne’s wife Amy disappears suddenly one morning, with signs suggesting she has been abducted, possibly murdered. As the hunt for her begins and the story of their marriage unfolds, police and media suspicion falls on Nick.
What did we think?
Francesca Percy says: How well do you know your spouse? This is the central question of Gone Girl, based on the acclaimed novel and screenplay by Gillian Flynn, cleverly directed by David Fincher and featuring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, brilliantly cast as the central couple, too cool to be true. It’s a suspenseful treasure hunt that draws you in further with every clue, twist and revelation about Ben and Amy, from the first time they meet to the day of their fifth anniversary. Honestly, the less you know about the plot, the better. It’s thrilling, chilling, occasionally funny, and well worth your time.
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.